Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

The recent meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents left hopes for the breakthrough in the negotiation process to settle the long-standing Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict unfulfilled for the next time.

The long-awaiting meeting between Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia was held under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs - Ambassadors Igor Popov of Russia, James Warlick of the United States, and Pierre Andrieu of France - in Bern, Switzerland on December 19.

The meeting, what the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have long been working for, took place just for the sake of meeting. The meeting was remembered with no special moment except the Armenian officials’ aggressive statements following the meeting.

Armenian foreign minister's statement his Yerevan's support to continuing the negotiation process indeed echoed surprise on the background of his country's intensive provocations in the contact line.

The situation indeed showed how Armenia acts contrary to its statements. Stating its will peaceable solution to the conflict Yerevan keeps under occupation of Azerbaijan’s internationally-recognized territories for nearly 25 years. That is major milestone bringing to zero any effort of the international community to achieve a breakthrough in the negotiation process.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ traditional after-meeting report left nothing special in memories as well -- it was the repetition of the previous statements.

Azerbaijani political expert Fikrat Sadigov believes that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs could hold the presidential meeting by the end of the year and this is eventually the most positive side of the gathering.

“Now, they may report to their headquarters that they managed to bring the presidents together,” he told AzerNews.

Sadigov noted that this is brings no benefit to Azerbaijan, which suffers from the Armenian aggression over many years.

He blamed the mediators for turning blind eye to Armenia’s actions.

“We observe that the co-chairs - leading players - are cherishing Armenia and no pressure exerted on Yerevan. In this case, of course, we must further demonstrate our will and strengthen the military potential,” the expert said.

The presidents last met and discussed the ways of settling the long-standing conflict in France last October. The Paris talks were expected to bring some breakthrough in the stalled conflict, but Armenia’s provocative actions and intensive ceasefire violations have aggravated the situation even more.

Sadigov said Azerbaijan doesn’t need meetings for the sake of the meeting, noting that if there are no specific issues on the agenda, it will not be in Baku’s favor.

“President Aliyev has repeatedly stated that Azerbaijan supports peaceful solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the country will restore its territorial integrity and will never deviate from this path, and this is our strategic goal,” the expert said.

The presidential meeting took place in the background of the aggravation of situation on the contact line of the Armenian-Azerbaijani troops.

The Armenian armed forces have increased ceasefire violations resorting provocations on the contact line. They continued shelling Azerbaijani positions right after the presidential meeting.

However, they were forced to retreat with losses after receiving strong response from the Azerbaijani Army.

The meeting was expected to relieve the tension on the contact line, but the Armenians chose to aggravate situation even more as before.

Sadigov considered that until pressure is exerted on Armenia, there will be no calmness on the contact line.

“Even if no pressure is exerted, Armenia should be forced to comply with international law. There are sufficient resolutions by the UN Security Council and other international organizations, as well as statements by the heads of leading countries,” the expert said.

He considered that if the negotiations continue in this way in the future and no pressure is exerted on Armenia, then the issue will not be solved. “We are strong enough and ready to restore our territorial integrity.”

The talks in Bern became another proof of the fact that Armenia is not ready to talk to Baku. Yerevan once again tried to buy time, and to keep the status quo in place, which is not acceptable.

The current status quo means the continuation of Azerbaijani territories’ occupation that is Armenia is trying for. Therefore, Yerevan attempts to disrupt the peace negotiations with every possible way.

In addition, the efforts of the mediators remain ineffective to resolve the conflict. The co-chairs don’t show the necessary attention to the some aspects of the conflict in the meantime ignoring Armenia’s continuous aggression. This fact is also one of the reasons for the long-lasting stalemate in the negotiation process.

Such a situation rules out hopes for peaceful resolution of the conflict in 2016.

Sadigov said Azerbaijan must use its diplomatic-political and military means in parallel in 2016.

“We do not abandon the path of peace, not hold back from diplomatic negotiations, sit down at the table and demonstrate our civilized approaches to countries of the world. However, at the same time, we understand that it is not enough to release the occupied lands. In 2016, we should increase our efforts, power and give adequate response to Armenian provocations on the contact line. We will not cherish Armenia. Our strategic purpose is to liberate our occupied lands,” the expert said.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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