STEPANAKERT. – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s announcement, according to which they are prepared to “grant a status of autonomy” to Nagorno-Karabakh, yet again demonstrates to what extent Baku is not ready for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict. 

Davit Babayan, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) Presidential Spokesperson, told about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am, commenting on Aliyev’s aforesaid statement during an interview with RIA Novosti news agency of Russia.

“[But,] it can be said that there is ‘progress,’” added Babayan. “If before, Aliyev was making all efforts—with words and deeds—to destroy Nagorno-Karabakh, now he already is speaking about autonomy. If such a trend continues, Aliyev may recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in a few months; this would be the most appropriate step.” 

The NKR presidential spokesperson added that this latest statement by Aliyev is destructive, and it causes nothing but laughter and pity. 

“The Azerbaijani authorities should rather give autonomy to the national minorities living in that country,” noted Davit Babayan. “Moreover, [they should] do that before the situation turns into a large-scale clash. In the meantime, these nations [in Azerbaijan] are living under a strong pressure, and virtually under the conditions of concentration camps.”