The countries claiming to increase their influence in the Caucasus have doubled attention to the Nagorno Karabakh problem. It first of all concerns Russia, which gains self-assurance after conclusion of the Moscow declarations. Turkey and Iran have also offered mediation. Former Deputy Foreign Minister of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, independent expert Masis Mayilyan comments to PanARMENIAN.Net on the regional developments.

The Armenian-Turkish relations are intensifying. Meetings between Foreign Ministers, joint seminars and conferences marked a thaw after a 70-year pause. Although the Turkish public is not prepared for discussion of some sensitive issues, a solution will be found one day. PanARMENIAN.Net requested Aybars Gorgulu, expert at Sabanci University and Assistant Program Director of TESEV Foreign Policy Program, to present his vision for the Armenian-Turkish relations.

The five-day war in Georgia and the landmark visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan outlined a breakthrough in the Armenian-Turkish relations. More and more people in both Armenia and Turkey speak out for opening of the border that was blocked over the conflicy in Nagorno Karabakh. Sinan Ogan, Chair of the Turkish Center for International Relations and Strategic Analysis, comments to PanARMENIAN.Net on the prospects of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Given the latest changes on the regional political map, the growing attention to the Caucasus is not surprising. Recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia's independence, Turkey's Caucasus Stability and Cooperation initiative and forthcoming presidential election in Azerbaijan are among the most topical issues. Senior lecturer at Saint-Petersburg State University, deputy editor at the Center of Oriental Studies, Ph.D. in history Alexander Sotnichenko comments on the situation to PanARMENIAN.Net.

The visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan stirred up a wave of comments both in Armenia and abroad. There was certainly a feedback from American Armenians, who are mostly the heirs of Genocide survivors. Harut Sassounian, the publisher of The California Courier, the oldest independent English-language Armenian newspaper in the United States, presents his view to PanARMENIAN.Net.

The recent developments in the Caucasus caused a fundamental shift in geopolitics. Although painful for the United States, the world is becoming multipolar. Given the current financial crisis, this world power's economy is at the verge of collapse. Professor of Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, Dennis J. D. Sandole comments on the situation to PanARMENIAN.Net.

The Armenian community of Istanbul is one of the oldest and at the same time the most vulnerable. It's rather hard to live in Turkey and remain an Armenian. But life goes on and the community grows in number, mostly thanks to migrants from Armenia. Nevertheless, there are taboos people are unable to lift, despite Turkey's aspiration to join the European family. Editor-in-chief of Zhamanak Istanbul-based Armenian-language newspaper, Ara Kochunyan tells PanARMENIAN.Net about the everyday life of the Armenian community.

After the five-day war in South Ossetia, the region has changed and, to all appearance, will continue changing. Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russi and, unsettlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict are pregnant with new challenges. How efficient will Russia's policy prove? Andrey Areshev, expert at Strategic Culture Foundation, commented on the situation to PanARMENIAN.Net.

The visit of Turkish president Abdullah Gul to Armenia made a big stir in the region. Informal contact between the leaders of the two countries, who have exercised ping-pong diplomacy, can lead toward normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. Kaan Soyak, Chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council (TABC) commented to PanARMENIAN.Net on the recent developments.

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is marking the 17th anniversary of its independence on September 2. The recent developments in the South Caucasus will one way or another affect the settlement process. Recognizing independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia will hardly do the same as regards Nagorno Karabakh. PanARMENIAN.Net requested Arsen Melik-Shahnazarov, advisor to NKR Foreign Minister to comment on the situation.