Elhan Polukhov, official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, continues actively preparing the public for concessions over Nagorno-Karabakh. Since the neighboring country’s public has been crammed with warlike propaganda for years, Mr. Popukhov has much work to do.

Polukhov, who is obviously executing the orders received from Azerbaijan’s autocrat Ilham Aliyev, has “picked” an intricate form of revelations to prepare the Azerbaijani public for the developing reality, which does not in any way fit in with the mechanically continued militant rhetoric. And look! An Azerbaijani Foreign Office representative “declassifies” a couple of other details of a framework agreement on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict being prepared for signing.

In his interview with Turkey-based Today’s zaman daily, Polukhov stated that Azerbaijan may consider the issue of reopening its border with Armenia in case the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process registers a breakthrough. Of importance, however, is not the readiness, but the information on the possible terms of lifting Armenia’s long-lasting blockade. According to Polukhov, it is possible even after the first stage of the Nagorno-Karabakh pace process, which implies the withdrawal of Armenian forces from only five of the regions forming a security zone round Nagorno-Karabakh. In the context of the recent reports on the possibility of the Nabucco gas pipeline running through Armenia, it is clear that both the United States and the European Union are truly interested in the early settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a legally binding international commitment.

The revelation about the possible lifting of Armenia’s blockade was not at all the only one. The Azerbaijani official also reported the dates of possible return of forcibly displaced persons: after the second stage of withdrawal of Armenian troops and return of Kelbajar and Lachin. Therefore, Baku cannot even dream of Azerbaijanis’ return to Nagorno-Karabakh. Before that Azerbaijan will have to prove to the international community it has rejected the militant rhetoric and is consistent in honoring its commitments in exchange for the Armenian side’s concessions.

Thus, both Azerbaijan and Armenia have, to a certain extent, launched a process of preparing the public for concessions over Nagorno-Karabakh, which is evidence the negotiations are nearing completion. Let us wait for further developments.