Stepanakert-bound flights to operate, regardless of Baku’s views

PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ visit to the region hasn’t affected the issue of Stepanakert airport operation, former Foreign Minister of Artsakh Republic said.

Arman Melikyan stressed the need for the Co-Chairs to have expressed a clear stance on the issue during their visit.

“U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier called for a solution in line with the international legal documents and practice,” Melikyan said, adding international practice dismisses restrictions on operations of flights by civil aircrafts.

“The flexibility of the Armenian side may play a significant role in problem solution, despite the unfavorable situation for us. Stepanakert-Yerevan flight may operate without the Azerbaijani leadership’s consent. However, there would be no such problem if Armenia started Artsakh recognition campaign and concluded relevant agreements,” he said, adding that Turkey operates flights in the direction of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

New Times party leader Aram Karapetyan, in turn, noted that OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are trying to avoid any issue that may signal a renewal of war.

“They aim to avert the transformation of the Middle East crisis to the South Caucasus,” he said, deeming operation of Stepanakert-bound flights possible from another country.