“Speaking of settling a problem, we should undertand what settling means. I think the key to settling the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is in the hands of Armenia and Azerbaijan,” the political analyst Yervand Bozoyan told NEWS.am. He pointed out that the conflict will not be settled in the near future.

“I do not see any demand for logical concessions on the part of Azerbaijan. So any pressure on the Armenian side to force it into concessions will mean a new war, rather than settlement of the conflict,” Bozoyan said. He believes the sides must cooperate to find a solution to the problem.

“At present, Armenia has no further resources for concessions, as it has satisfied all the demands. We know Armenia has always welcomed the Madrid Principles. Azerbaijan, on its part, is actually demanding the whole of Karabakh now. Under the circumstances, any concessions on Armenia’s part will endanger our security,” Bozoyan said.

As regards the possibility of the Nagorno-Karabakh probem being considered in a format different to the OSCE Minsk Group, Bozoyan pointed out that it may have a negative impact on the peace process. “Any format’s task must be freezing the conflict to neutralize a threat of new war. I see two scenarios of resolving the problem – freezing the problem and a new war. As regards a third scenario, namely, reaching an agreement, I do not consider it likely. The Minsk Group is performing its role, trying to neutralize the threat of war. In this context, a different format will not resolve the problem. No other format will have legal status similar to that of the Minsk Group with three Co-Chairing countries,” Bozoyan said. Asked whether the Minsk Group is the best format for Nagorno-Karabakh, Bozoyan said: “I would not say the best, but the most effective of those existing.”

T.P.