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 Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |