ICG Advises Baku to Agree with Karabakh's Participation in Talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - Presently the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders are free to work at the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Alain Deletroz, Crisis Group Vice President for Europe stated. In his words, the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders perceive that the unsettled conflict costs them too much. "Armenian President Robert Kocharian faces a difficult situation. Armenians sympathize with their compatriots in Karabakh however they realize the country has to pay too much for this sympathy. Those from Karabakh who hold power in Armenia should focus not only on Karabakh's interests at the moment but also on Armenia's interests in a long-term outlook," he noted.



"In our report we recommend to the conflicting parties to continue talks in the current format and advise the Azerbaijani leadership to agree with the participation of Karabakh's representatives at a certain stage of the negotiations. Besides, we consider that Azerbaijan should undertake steps to establish contacts between Azerbaijan and Karabakh at interpersonal level," Alain Deletroz stated. In his words, Armenia should withdraw troops from the seized Azeri territories within the OSCE negotiation process but deployment of Azerbaijani army should be ruled out. "International troops should be deployed in seven regions except Nagorno Karabakh. We understand that the Omar Pass in Kelbajar and the Lachin Corridor called the "way of life" by the people of Karabakh appear as strategic regions for Karabakh and its interests should be taken into account. If Azeri army does not enter these regions, refugees and displaced persons will acquire the right to return there," he added.



"We consider that the government of Nagorno Karabakh should keep on creating democratic institutes. Our report shows the process is already underway. After all the international community, Armenia and Azerbaijan should resign to the though that Karabakh will live this way during next 5-10 years. Then a referendum should be held and all the residents of Nagorno Karabakh including Azeris should take part in it. Moreover, all the parties to conflict should agree with the outcomes of the referendum, which will result in declaration of independence of Nagorno Karabakh," Alain Deletroz said, Vremya Novostey reported.