The Nagorno Karabakh conflict will hardly be settled in 2006, co-chairman of Free Fatherland party, member of the NKR National Assembly Artur Tovmasyan stated during round-table discussion initiated by Open Society NGO. The deputy rules out the possibility of resumption of hostilities during next 10-20 years. "Azerbaijan is under the political and economic influence of the United States and Britain and cannot wage war," he said. At that he added that from the moral and psychological viewpoint Azerbaijan is much weaker than Karabakh, which is ready to repulse any encroachment.
In the deputy's opinion, Baku's sharp anti-Armenian rhetoric impedes the peaceful process. "We call Azeris "opponents", they call us "enemy", Artur Tovmasyan said. At that he pointed out to Turkish pro-Azerbaijani policy pursued by Turkey. "Turkey recognizes Kosovo's independence but protects Azerbaijan's territorial integrity," he said. Artur Tovmasyan is convinced that Karabakh will join the negotiation process as a party to conflict. At that he considers that the people of Karabakh should not worry about the secrecy of the talks held by the Armenian and Azerbaijani President, since Robert Kocharian firmly guards the interests of Nagorno Karabakh, reported IA Regnum.