There is still a threat of war in Nagorno-Karabakh. The major problem is the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azeri political scientist Torgul Juvarly stated at an on-line conference Feb. 17. Any hard line increases the probability of a military solution, which will certainly prove a disaster for the entire South Caucasus, the expert said.

“Whatever happens, we must gradually build up confidence instead of demanding pledges not to use force from the conflicting parties’ governments. When I speak of building up confidence, I mean an end to such play on terms as ‘liberated territories’. Azerbaijan used to show a rather harsh reaction to the concept of security zone round Nagorno-Karabakh. And the phrase ‘liberated territories’ sounds defiant.  I cannot understand either how it is possible, with such large-scale negotiation process, when even the leader of the Minsk Group process make statements, the sides regularly fail to agree about withdrawal of snipers. People are killed, and it will never end,” the expert said.

The Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent asked the expert the following question: “If Azerbaijan is sincerely willing for a peace settlement of the conflict, stating its readiness for a peace settlement on the basis of three principles at international meetings, why, on returning to Baku, do the Azeri leaders state their intention to resume hostilities?” Juvarly said that he has “grown old” in debates on the priorities. “It is not the problem. Even the idea of referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh contained the recognition of independence – may be some day in the future. Rather the problem is that we are not fully aware of who benefits from the status quo. Only if we were, could we forecast further developments,” the expert said.