The settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict seems to be far away despite the optimistic statements by the mediators made in early 2006. The meetings of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents as a matter of fact nullified the forecasts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs. By PanARMENIAN.Net's request NKR President's Aide for Foreign Policy Arman Melikian comments on the situation.

The statement made by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs and the scandal that burst out over the visit of Catholicos of All Armenians to Turkey caused a great number of comments. On the threshold of the G8 summit the attention of the concerned sides is focused on the possibility of signing an agreement on Karabakh by Armenia and Azerbaijan. ARF Bureau's Hay Dat and Political Office Director Kiro Manoian comments on the situation to PanARMENIAN.Net.

Turkey lately actively works to become a regional superpower. Activation and cooperation with the U.S. in settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, relations with Russia, increase of influence in Georgia and Azerbaijan speak for themselves. Head of the Department of Turkey of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Doctor Ruben Safrastyan comments on the situation in the South Caucasus to PanARMENIAN.Net.

Situation in Samtskhe-Javakheti, which has never been calm, is attracting more attention of Armenian politicians lately. Various politicians and public figures speak on behalf of the population of that region of Georgia. Vice-Rector of Anania Shirakatsi University, author of a number of publications on the Armenian issue, Karabakh and Javakhk, political scientist Hrazdan Madoyan answers questions of PanARMENIAN.Net.

The situation in the South Caucasus is far from ideal with unsettled conflicts and tensed relations between the neighbors. Besides, the South Caucasus plays the role of an arena for the struggle for leadership between great powers. By PanARMENIAN.Net's request Director of the Caucasus Media Institute (CMI), political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan comments on the current situation in the region.

The more Turkey strives towards the European community the more frequently it's reminded about the necessity of the Armenian Genocide acknowledgement. With the increasing number of European states recognizing the Armenian genocide the debates in Turkey grow hotter. PanARMENIAN.Net requested Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakossian to comment on some aspects of the problem.

Murders on ethnic ground and common raging of crime gave cause for speaking of neo-fascism in Russia. It seems from the outside that murders have become a norm in the society. Skinheads or simply "unknown persons" are accused in all crimes. President of the Political Science Association of Saint Petersburg, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Geopolitical Issues, Candidate of Philosophical Science Ara Stepanyan commented on the current state of affairs in Russia at the instance of PanARMENIAN.Net.

The latest developments in the region conditioned by the possibility of U.S. attack on Iran draw Washington's attention to Turkey and Azerbaijan to some extent. How can this "attention" reflect on the Armenian Genocide recognition and Karabakh conflict settlement. PanARMENIAN.Net requested head of the department of Turkey at the RA Academy of Sciences, Doctor Ruben Safarastyan for comments.

Apprehensions are voiced more often lately over possible attack against Iran by the US. Open threats by Washington, as well as Teheran pursuing a hard-edged policy increase this alarm. Taking into account Armenia neighboring Iran, the good naborly relations between us, as well as the presence of a many-million Azerbaijani population in it, Yerevan, of course, cannot remain indifferent to the growing tension in the region. Political scientist Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan answers these and other questions of PanARMENIAN.Net.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) new report titled Conflict Resolution in the South Caucasus: The EU's Role says that "With its reputation as an "honest broker", access to a range of soft and hard power tools, and the lure of greater integration into Europe, the EU has a greater role to play, and offers added value to compliment the UN and the OSCE. To avoid instability on its borders, the EU seeks a ring of well-governed countries around it," the ICG believes. At the instance of PanARMENIAN.Net, Chair of the Standing Commission for Defense and Security of the Supreme Council of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in 1992-1995, Chairman of Tradition NGO Valery Balayan comments on the ICG new report.