Expert: Kazan-hosted meeting on Karabakh issue will end in declaration of good intentJune 14, 2011 - 20:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Gaidz Minassian, associate researcher of the French Foundation of Strategic Research (FRS), shared his view on progress in Karabakh issue and expectations from Kazan-hosted Armenia- Russia- Azerbaijan presidential meeting in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. “It's been nearly three years since diplomatic meetings conclude with a declaration by the states of the Minsk Group or by President of Armenia and Azerbaijan under Russian mediation. But if the statements are important, they are largely symbolic and talked about only intentions. But intentions are not goodwill. Gradually, a process parallel to the Minsk Group was established and today we have two references for Karabakh conflict settlement: the Principles of Madrid and the Principles of Sochi. The former are less generic than the latter,” the French expert said. Commenting on presidential meeting in Kazan, Mr. Minassian noted, “there will likely be a declaration of good intent but Azerbaijan and Armenia will not go further than a reminder of the Principles. Remains to be seen which, Madrid or Sochi ? Here is the whole issue. Neither is willing to assume the role of bad guy in the eyes of Medvedev, Sarkozy and Obama, but neither is willing to sacrifice its interests. A new deal has been grafted on the Karabakh peace process. The domestic politics of Armenia and Azerbaijan is creating new conditions that may influence the course of negotiations.” Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |