Russian expert:

"I do not expect any special breakthroughs in the Karabakh conflict's resolution especially on the threshold of the upcoming elections in Armenia, Azerbaijan and in the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair-states, Vadim Mukhanov,  Senior Fellow at the Center for Caucasian Studies and Regional Security, MGIMO Russia, told ArmInfo.

"Possible changes in Moscow's stance on the Karabakh peace process following Medvedev-Putin rotation is much spoken of today. I am more than sure that Russia's policy towards the South Caucasus will not change traditionally and no fundamental changes should be expected in this context following the rotation of the top leadership in Russia," he said.

Mukhanov said that there is no strict Russian policy towards South Caucasus, since there are certain moments that make the country think over their settlement. Unlike USA and France, that face Caucasus's problems not so often, Russia faces the problems of both the North Caucasus that are dominating for the Russians and the South Caucasus.  There is nothing extraordinary in all that, since Russia is a priory connected to the region more than the West.

The expert thinks that lack of breakthroughs in the Karabakh conflict forecasted for the nearest future is positive for both the parties, as always when there is no war. Maintenance of no-war situation in Karabakh is a great positive factor, the expert thinks, especially amid the growing trigger-happy policy despite the frequent meetings of the presidents. "This is in discord with the continuing suggestions in favor of the conflict's resolution, indeed, with the meetings in Yerevan and Baku leading to rather sad thoughts. In this light, even lack of breakthroughs is evidently positive. The credit of the status-quo maintenance in the Karabakh conflict zone goes also to Russia, USA and France. Nicolas Sarkozy's visits to the conflicting parties are the best evidence of my words," Mukhanov said.  

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Azerbaijani members of thematic groups for dialogue with Armenians briefed, as work on five final reports continues in earnest

Azerbaijani members of thematic groups for dialogue with Armenians briefed, as work on five final reports continues in earnest

On Friday, (26 September) there was another amazing event in the process of Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue, this time in Baku. Around twenty five Azerbaijanis involved in five thematic groups established by LINKS Europe earlier this year were briefed by Murad Muradov, co-Chair of the thematic group on Peace and Security; Liman Namazova, Chair of the thematic group on Environment; Lala Jumayeva, Chair of the thematic group on gender and diversity; Nigar Gurbanli, Deputy Chair of the thematic group on regional connectivity; and Ramazan Samadov, Deputy Chair of the thematic group on Governance, on the work done so-far. Murad Muradov spoke about his visit to Yerevan earlier in the week, and his speech to Armenian thematic group members. He said the momentum for peace, dialogue and regional co-operation was stronger than ever before. Ambassadors and other representatives of EU member states and others, as well as representatives of the EU Delegation, the EUSR office and other international institutions were in attendance. In a short speech to the gathering, LINKS Europe Director, Dr Dennis Sammut, said that enemies of peace remained active in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Many had been warmongers for years, and it was difficult for them to change. However it was important to engage them, and have an open and honest discussion with them. The Azerbaijani members of the thematic groups are eager to meet their Armenian counterparts in person in Tbilisi 27-28 October, when they hope to finish the work on the five reports.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Azerbaijani members of thematic groups for dialogue with Armenians briefed, as work on five final reports continues in earnest

Azerbaijani members of thematic groups for dialogue with Armenians briefed, as work on five final reports continues in earnest

On Friday, (26 September) there was another amazing event in the process of Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue, this time in Baku. Around twenty five Azerbaijanis involved in five thematic groups established by LINKS Europe earlier this year were briefed by Murad Muradov, co-Chair of the thematic group on Peace and Security; Liman Namazova, Chair of the thematic group on Environment; Lala Jumayeva, Chair of the thematic group on gender and diversity; Nigar Gurbanli, Deputy Chair of the thematic group on regional connectivity; and Ramazan Samadov, Deputy Chair of the thematic group on Governance, on the work done so-far. Murad Muradov spoke about his visit to Yerevan earlier in the week, and his speech to Armenian thematic group members. He said the momentum for peace, dialogue and regional co-operation was stronger than ever before. Ambassadors and other representatives of EU member states and others, as well as representatives of the EU Delegation, the EUSR office and other international institutions were in attendance. In a short speech to the gathering, LINKS Europe Director, Dr Dennis Sammut, said that enemies of peace remained active in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Many had been warmongers for years, and it was difficult for them to change. However it was important to engage them, and have an open and honest discussion with them. The Azerbaijani members of the thematic groups are eager to meet their Armenian counterparts in person in Tbilisi 27-28 October, when they hope to finish the work on the five reports.