UK analyst: Azerbaijan, as a losing party, interested in boosting tensionsAugust 27, 2014 - 17:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Thomas de Waal, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment, specializing in the South Caucasus region, believes Azerbaijan to be an interested party in recent escalations at the borders with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. In an interview with the Armenian service of the Voice of America, the analyst expressed concern over the recent border clashes resulting in more victims than throughout the year 2013. De Waal believes the tensions to be partially liked to some external factors: with situation in Ukraine shifting the focus of superpowers, Azerbaijan gets increasingly frustrated over lack of success in the OSCE Minsk Group’s mediating activities, while the spat between Russia and the West is further complicating cooperation in the MG framework. In this context, the analyst also mentioned certain worrying incidents in Nakhichevan were the situation, until recently, was calm. De Waal pointed out Azerbaijan’s interest in boosting the tensions, as the losing party usually tends to escalate the situation. At the same time, he blamed the Armenian side for provoking ceasefire violation on July 31, thus making both sides responsible. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |