ICG: Azeri leadership should stop convincing publics in possibility to win the warDecember 24, 2007 - 15:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - There is a possibility of resumption of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, said Sabine Freizer, the International Crisis Group Director of the Europe Program.The oil incomes inspired confidence in Azerbaijan and offered a chance to modernize the army, according to her. "Azerbaijan seems to drag out a peaceful resolution unless the military balance is in its favor. Official Yerevan, which has achieved real economic progress, is also inflexible and keeps on building up defense expenses," she said. "Armenian leaders also think that time works for them and de facto independence of Nagorno Karabakh will become a reality that can't be neglected. However, the wait-and-see policy represents a menace. The year of 2012, when Azerbaijan's oil income can reduce and the military adventure can seem a tempting way to distract popular attention from the economic crisis, promises to become the most dangerous year. Vital oil and gas pipeline stretching nearby Karabakh will be the first victims of the new war. This is a scenario Europe and the United States want to prevent," Ms. Freizer underscored. "The Azeri leadership should stop convincing the public in the possibility to win the war with a Blitzkrieg," she said, Day.az reports. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |