ICG considers Azerbaijan disappointed by Kazan meeting failed on his own

August 3, 2011 - 20:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The experts of International Crisis Group (ICG) published the regular international conflicts survey for July 2011. It is noted in the survey that pessimism and disappointment raised in Azerbaijan, after the Kazan meeting between the three Presidents brought no results.

It should be noted that ICG is bound to assess events. Situation in Nagorno Karabakh got 9 point according to the 12- point scale (based on degree of risk).

On Azerbaijan, which got 8 points, the survey underscores collision between Azerbaijan and Iranian frontier-guards on July 4. It should be reminded that the collision resulted in death of Azerbaijan frontier-guard. Also several cases of bringing to trial of forbidden Islamic party activists and oppositionists for antigovernmental actions are noted. An opposition activist was sentenced for two years imprisonment for the illegal possession of weapon.

On Armenia, which got 8 points, the survey points out formation of the joint working group aimed to carry out negotiations between the ruling coalition and the opposition, and two meetings, as well as July 25 announcement of the Armenian Defense Ministry on conducting the first joint Armenian- American military maneuvers.

The summit between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Kazan on June 24 completed without an agreement on basic principles of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement because the Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev attempted to impose 10 new proposals, thus precluding the possibility of any agreement on the issue.

After Kasan meeting failure, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov handed over personal messages and suggestions of RF President Dmitry Medvedev to Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev. Armenia and Azerbaijan already replied to President Medvedev’s suggestions.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.