France may take leadership in Karabakh mediation – expert

PanARMENIAN.Net - France may intensify its role in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process, according to the head of European Integration NGO.

As political analyst Karen Bekaryan told a news conference in Yerevan, “There are objective reasons for France to assume the role of a flag bearer in Karabakh mediation mission.” In this context, the expert called attention to French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s scheduled visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to Bekaryan, Moscow’s passivity can be explained by a transition period, with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin about to replace President Medvedev on his post, as well as Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan presidential meeting in Kazan. “However, I believe, Russia won’t fully abandon its mediatory role in Karabakh settlement,” the expert noted.