Every passing month is raising the possibility of new hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. Alexander Skakov, an expert for the Institute of Oriental Studies of Russia, told Armenian News-NEWS.am. He pointed out a number of factors.

Specifically, Azerbaijan`s militant rhetoric was gaining strengths throughout last year. The international community was silent instead of denouncing Azerbaijan. "Azerbaijan is more and more counting on threat of force rather than force itself. The countries having interests in the region have no wish to prevent this scenario," the expert said. Despite being pessimistic, Skakov does not expect any military developments until summer.

To prevent hostilities, Armenia must intensify all its international ties, as well as ties with the nations interested in the region, to get guarantees against any hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is the right time to raise the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh`s independence, the expert said.