The recent Sochi meeting between the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents was remarkable for Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s statement suggesting “President Sargsyan’s and Aliyev’s readiness to refrain from maximalist positions and expedite development of basic principles to further achieve legally binding peace agreement on its basis.”
To understand the meaning of the above-mentioned statement, one should understand what “maximalist positions” mean. Official Baku says it will either recognize Nagorno Karabakh status within Azerbaijan’s “territorial integrity" or will resort to hostilities. Whereas Armenia’s position implies development of legally binding peace agreement only after determination of NKR status (i.e. Artsakh’s independence).
This makes Heritage opposition party’s parliamentary group leader doubt that under pressure of co-chair countries, particularly Russia, Armenia questions determination of NKR status to achieve progress in negotiation process before signing a peace agreement. Thus, Stepan Safaryan gave negative assessment to outcomes of Sochi meeting, stating it as “victory of Azerbaijan’s diplomacy.”
Most Armenian experts and members of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, in turn, noted that Russian FM’s statement is addressed to Azerbaijan, with National Assembly vice-speaker Eduard Sharmazanov ruling out alternatives to NKR independence.
“Following international recognition of NKR independence, Artsakh people will themselves decide on compromises it can make,” he said.
So, let’s hope that Armenia will never yield to any pressure and never question the status of NKR as an independent state.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is likely to start bringing into fruition the new integration project – the Eurasian Union after retaking the presidential post in March. This renders danger that Russia may use Nagorno Karabakh to fasten Azerbaijan to the integration process. However, on the other hand, considering its strong influence in our country, Russia is confident of Armenia’s readiness to join the project.
As for the West, Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement will render progress in Armenian-Turkish reconciliation, which, in turn, will weaken Armenia’s dependence from Russia and result in the latter’s ousting from the region.
