ICG: Ankara's best chance of bringing a new positive momentum to NKR conflict is by normalizing ties with ArmeniaMay 18, 2009 - 22:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "Regarding Nagorno-Karabakh, the best that can be expected any time this year is agreement on the basic principles, and the mediators sound optimistic about a possible breakthrough," Europe Program Director of the International Crisis Group Sabine Freizer said commenting on the settlement of the conflict, APA reports."Another meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents is expected in Saint Petersburg around 4-6 June. But there is a long-running stalemate over several issues, including the modalities of a plan to hold a referendum to determine Nagorno-Karabakh's final status and the status and size of a possible corridor linking Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia in the Lachin district. Once an agreement on basic principles is signed, lengthy and difficult talks await the sides to reach a comprehensive settlement leading to the start of actual withdrawals," she said. Sabine Freizer underlines that Turkey plays an important role in the region, particularly in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "There is no doubt that progress on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would enhance Turkey's ability to normalize relations with Armenia and stability in the South Caucasus. But Ankara's best chance of bringing a new positive momentum to the process is precisely by normalizing with Armenia," she said. Sabine Freizer says that optimism about the normalization of Turkey-Armenia bilateral relations, so prevalent on 22 April when the two countries announced that they had agreed on a comprehensive framework for reconciliation, has suddenly faded. "Normalization would include opening of the Turkey-Armenia border, establishing diplomatic relations, and setting up of bilateral commissions to deal with multiple issues, including the historical dimension of their relations. It first seemed that these steps could be accomplished by autumn 2009. Now they may be delayed for years. With his statement Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan put a brake on the reconciliation effort when in Baku on 13 May." 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 | Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. Byblos Bank Armenia celebrates Students' Day with scholarship recipients YSU students who received scholarships from Byblos Bank Armenia gathered in a casual setting to meet with the Bank's CEO, Hayk Stepanyan. Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. |