Kosovo independence could encourage Tbilisi and Baku to introduce more positive mechanisms of conflict resolution
"There are many differences between Kosovo and the disputed territories in the Caucasus: demographics, population size, size of territory, and even the former constitutional relations between autonomous units and Soviet republics," Mr Cory Welt, Deputy Director and Fellow of Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.
"And even if Kosovo becomes independent, no one is suggesting that it should become, for example, a precedent for Iraqi Kurdistan's independence. At the same time, independence for Kosovo will make Georgia and Azerbaijan more aware than ever before that independence for breakaway territories is theoretically a possible outcome for their conflicts as well. Possibly, this could encourage Georgia and Azerbaijan to think more creatively about how to preempt such outcomes by introducing more peaceful and positive mechanisms of conflict resolution," Mr Welt said.
Full text of the interview
"And even if Kosovo becomes independent, no one is suggesting that it should become, for example, a precedent for Iraqi Kurdistan's independence. At the same time, independence for Kosovo will make Georgia and Azerbaijan more aware than ever before that independence for breakaway territories is theoretically a possible outcome for their conflicts as well. Possibly, this could encourage Georgia and Azerbaijan to think more creatively about how to preempt such outcomes by introducing more peaceful and positive mechanisms of conflict resolution," Mr Welt said.
