UK analyst: Azerbaijan, as a losing party, interested in boosting tensionsAugust 27, 2014 - 17:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Thomas de Waal, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment, specializing in the South Caucasus region, believes Azerbaijan to be an interested party in recent escalations at the borders with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. In an interview with the Armenian service of the Voice of America, the analyst expressed concern over the recent border clashes resulting in more victims than throughout the year 2013. De Waal believes the tensions to be partially liked to some external factors: with situation in Ukraine shifting the focus of superpowers, Azerbaijan gets increasingly frustrated over lack of success in the OSCE Minsk Group’s mediating activities, while the spat between Russia and the West is further complicating cooperation in the MG framework. In this context, the analyst also mentioned certain worrying incidents in Nakhichevan were the situation, until recently, was calm. De Waal pointed out Azerbaijan’s interest in boosting the tensions, as the losing party usually tends to escalate the situation. At the same time, he blamed the Armenian side for provoking ceasefire violation on July 31, thus making both sides responsible. Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |