Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan has hinted he prefers Ilham Aliyev to win in Azerbaijan's forthcoming presidential election since this offers the best hope of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"A democratic Azerbaijan is definitely preferable to us, as a neighbour, and especially as a partner in talks," President Sargsyan said whilst speaking at the end of a youth and sports festival. "I would not say that just now the negotiating process is active, nevertheless we have already walked quite a long road, and if after the elections Aliyev is able to demonstrate some will and rise above his usual Armenia-phobia, I think this is the most acceptable and preferable option for us."
source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo President Sargsyan watching an arms wrestling contest at the close of a youth and sports festival on 17 August 2013. (picture courtesy of the Press Service of the president of Armenia)
