Today, Azerbaijan
Jan 7 2010
"Russia in global politics" editor: Statement claiming "Karabakh will
never be a part of Azerbaijan" is nonsense
07 January 2010 [16:13] – Today.Az
Day.Az interview with editor-in-chief of "Russia in global politics"
magazine Fyodr Lukyanov.
In your recent interview with Ekho Moskvy radio station you said that
"Karabakh will never return to Azerbaijan any more. This issue is not
even debated.’ Can you explain why do you think so?
Due to certain circumstances there is certain context in the South
Caucasus and possibly in the entire post-Soviet area. Certain
situation has been formed over the past 20 years ` self-declared
`states’ have appeared in the territory of Georgia, Azerbaijan and
Moldova.
Until 2008, the Soviet administrative borders were taboo, they were
considered inviolable. But later some circles had a different view of
things. In some particular cases, the process moved to a qualitatively
different phase after the partial recognition of Kosovo, Abkhazia,
South Ossetia. It certainly has a definite influence on the
negotiations on the future of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the future
of, for example, Trans-Dniester. That’s what I had in mind. Of course,
the statement "Karabakh will never be a part of Azerbaijan" is
nonsense.
In your interview you also said that Armenia has occupied seven
regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. In your opinion, how soon they
will be returned to Azerbaijan?
Fundamental breakthrough is less likely to happen in near future. But
the seven districts are part of a wide debate about future of
Karabakh. Nobody has yet thought of something more serious than the
formula of "peace in exchange for territory’ in, for example, the
Middle East, which is the most longstanding and deeply studied
conflict region.
However, they have not been able to agree on what security guarantees
decent compensation for the loss of control over part of the territory
may provide.
You also said that Turkey intends to become a regional leader in the
Caucasus and that it appears to succeed. What is the role of Ankara,
the Kremlin and Washington in solving the Karabakh conflict in near
future?
Turkey won more than the rest from the situation that changed in the
region after the war in the Caucasus. Due to its geopolitical,
transit, cultural conditions it becomes very important independent
actor not only in the South Caucasus and the Middle East and Asia
Minor.
The strength of Turkey, among other things, is that Ankara maintains
working and normal relations with all – Israel and Syria, Iran and the
United States, Russia and Georgia. This offers great opportunities to
maneuver. Obstacle is unsettled relations with Armenia, and steps to
unfreeze them are completely understandable. It is important for
Turkey not in the Caucasus, but in a much more general context to
become a kind of "universal broker". So, Turkey is seriously
interested in normalizing ties with Armenia. But Ankara is unlikely to
sacrifice Azerbaijan for this process.
Accordingly, Ankara should be interested in progress in resolving the
Karabakh problem, especially in compromise progress. I think that
Turkey will be active in this direction.
In fact, Moscow and Washington have the same interests. But today
anyone is hardly willing to provide a really strong pressure on
conflicting parties to compel them to agreement. Much will depend on
developments on a global level. Thus, depending on what will happen
with Iran and around it, situation in the South Caucasus can
significantly change.
H. Hamidov
URL:
http://www.today.az/news/politics/59068.html