YEREVAN. - Sources close to the Kazan meeting of Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents assure Azerbaijan showed certain signs of concessions at the presidents’ meeting. However, referendum to determine Nagorno-Karabakh’s status prevented Azerbaijan from such moves, political expert Richard Giragosian stated at a discussion on Thursday.

According to him, Azerbaijan changed its stance prior to Kazan meeting and tried to discuss issues which were discussed and agreed previously. “Moreover, Baku focused on the military parade rather than Kazan meeting of Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents. Azerbaijan launched a military show of force in Baku two days after talks with Armenia, which indicated Azerbaijan’s strategy rather than the talks. The parade also sent a message to Russian President, hinting at a lack of progress,” Giragosian stressed.

The expert noted that the Kazan talks did not aim at discussing Karabakh’s status. “Three important issues, particularly the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the liberated regions, a demand for ensuring security and referendum on determination of Karabakh’s stratus were in focus,” he noted.

As reported earlier, Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents met in Kazan on June 24.