ROME. - Italian Eurasia magazine on geopolitics (EURASIA. Rivista di Studi Geopolitici) published an article titled “Crisis of Nagorno-Karabakh: Historical Restoration and Perspectives” by Giuliano Luongo.

The author analyzed historical developments of the Karabakh conflict since 1920 and up to date, peace process, mediatory efforts, as well as conflict’s strategic importance for the region.

“First, taking into account demographical situation, the Soviet authorities decide to include Karabakh in Armenia but then, counting for strategic union with Turkey, they leave Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan,” Luongo writes.

The author says that being a part of Azerbaijani Soviet Republic, Armenians of Karabakh (90% of entire population) were pressurized.

Luongo recalls ethnic cleansings of 1988 jointly conducted by Moscow and Baku, as well as “Operation Ring” which left two regions of Karabakh without Armenians. Population of Nagorno-Karabakh took legal steps, held a referendum as a result of which, under the law of the USSR, declared its independence.

In his article Luongo mentions Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev’s warlike statements, as well as recent ceasefire violations in the line of contact Aliyev is responsible for.