SANCTIONS AGAINST AZERBAIJAN MUST BE APPLIED – STYOPA SAFARYAN
15:15 * 12.01.15
Armenia has entered a stage when prevention of Azerbaijan’s
large-scale actions has become number one problem for both Armenia
and the international community, Styopa Safaryan, founder of the
Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs (AIISA),
told reporters on Monday.
According to him, this year can hardly be expected a year of
establishment of peace.
“Azerbaijan appears to be implementing a new strategy. It is now
resorting to violence along the Line of Contact whereas in the past
it was content with a position, region or provocations on the dates
of importance for us,” he said.
This is taking place when Armenia is settling its security issues
within the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), as well as amid tensions in
Azerbaijan’s relations with the West. Both before and now President
Aliyev is seeking to aggravate the situation to prevent the “the
movers and shakers” forgetting the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“One more reason is Armenia’s membership in the EEU. Aliyev is trying
to test Armenia’s security within the EEU, and, I say it with regret,
the conclusions are not in our favor. Aliyev’s desire is also to find
out how well the new alliance is supporting its members. But it is
a little more than positional war or skirmishes,” Mr Safaryan said.
In the international community fails to apply sanctions against
Azerbaijan, grave consequences should be expected not only for Armenia,
but also for Nagorno-Karabakh and for the international community.
“Therefore, we should be aware of extremely high risks this year. I
cannot way we should expect war, but Armenia and Artsakh must be
prepared for effective retaliation,” he said.
Armenia should take advantage of the situation and make Azerbaijan
feel embarrassed in the international arena. However, it is not being
done either at the parliamentary or at the diplomatic level.