Despite Azerbaijan’s repeated warlike statements, the probability of new war is lower now. However, it cannot be ruled out, Karen Bekaryan, Chairman of the European Integration NGO, Director of the Radiolur news program, told a press conference on February 17. He pointed out that the current developments in the world are driving Nagorno-Karabakh to the background.

According to Bekaryan, the Astana meeting was the platform where the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ position proved to be a straitjacket for Azerbaijan. “Representatives of the OSCE Co-Chairing countries issued a five-sided statement calling for a peace settlement of the conflict. All the processes show that none of the sides encourages hostilities in the region if we do not take Turkey into account,” the expert said.

According to him, Azerbaijan is running certain risks. “Besides risks in the battlefield, Azerbaijan is faced with risks involving the international community’s reaction and potential sanctions. Under the circumstances, Azerbaijan prefers letting off steam aat various international agencies,” Bekaryan said.

It is high time for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh to have wisdom to take advantage of all the factors in favor of Nagorno-Karabakh.

He cited the example of Russian-Japanese relations, which have worsened over the last ten days because of the Kurile Islands. “At first sight it has nothing to do with the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. However, Russia, claiming its right to the Kuriles, confidently states it got them as a result of war. Russia is OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. All the three OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, as well as the other OSCe Minsk Group member-states, have such experience,” Bekaryan said.