#Artsakh would not become a playing card in #Russia-#Turkey relations. interview to Gala

Ամսաթիվ՝

Բաժին՝

17/12/2015

In an interview with Gala, Artak Beglaryan, spokesperson for Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan, talked about such problems as tense situation in the line of contact of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani opposing armies, the danger of involving Armenia and Artsakh in Russian-Turkish conflict. The interview is fully presented below.

-Mr. Beglaryan, the border situation remains tense. Do you think that there is a danger of involving Armenia and Artsakh in Russian-Turkish conflict? How do you explain the rival’s aggressive actions?

-It is not the first case that the border situation is tense. It means that the escalation of the Russian-Turkish relations can not play a decisive role on the Azerbaijan’s aggressive behaviour. A number of causes are on the basis of Azerbaijan’s adventurous behaviour. In any case, I don’t exclude that the recent tension somewhat depends on the destabilized situation of the region and Azerbaijan’s wish to take dividends from it or check reactions. I am surprised at the statements which connect Russian-Turkish relations with Karabakh conflict. In fact, neither Turkey nor Russia has direct connection with the conflict, and indirect relation is not unilateral and unequivocal. We should not forget that Artsakh isn’t Russian territory and Azerbaijan has very good relations with Armenia’s ally Russia, and can not act in the same way as his elder brother.

-In fact, the Azerbaijan’s situation is not enviable in terms of the conflict between Russia and Turkey, as it has close relations with both sides and substantially depends on both sides. As for the Azerbaijan’s aggressive behavior, it is predictable for us, as the policy of recent years continues, conditioned by the same reasons – from domestic politics to foreign policy.

-Experts being directed from Kremlin make statements that Artsakh may serve as a playing card in the hand of Putin, against Erdogan. Do you think that Armenia and Artsakh will be able not to be involved in this conflict?

-Artsakh is a factor in the region. However, as I mentioned, we have no connections with the Russian-Turkish relations. Certainly, Artsakh has a potential for not becoming a playing card, and it has been proven many times in the recent decades.

-Due to the tense border situation , Armenia and Artsakh often state that Azerbaijan ignores the OSCE co-chairs and the international community. The international community never ceases to put a sign of equality between the sides. How do you explain this behavior and could it be dangerous?

-It is supposed why OSCE Co-chairs take neutral position in the assessments of the ceasefire violations. I think it is mainly due to the lack of mechanisms for investigation of violations, of which Azerbaijan refuses for not record it’s aggressive behavior . Anyway, there are some cases when it is clear who has violated the truce, but always we hear the same assessments. For sure, the mediators should be impartial, but not artificially neutral. In fact, they are partial to the Azerbaijani side in their assessments, even when the Azerbaijani side fires to their direction. Such an approach would give more freedom to Baku’s destructive actions. However, we should not rely on the mediators’ justice, as the only guarantee of peace is our army.

Translation by Artsakhpress.

Պիտակներ՝