Azərbaycanlı.org

Karabakh

Choronology of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict (1988-1999)

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OSCE Minsk Group issues statement on results of Athens meeting

They noted the positive dynamic in the talks, demonstrated through six meetings this year between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia

-04.12.2009-

The Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister of France Bernard Kouchner, and Deputy Secretary of State of the United States James Steinberg issued a statement Tuesday following a meeting with the Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan and Edward Nalbandian of Armenia on the sidelines of the 17th OSCE Ministerial Council, Athens (1-2 December).

They noted the positive dynamic in the talks, demonstrated through six meetings this year between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

They agreed that the increasing frequency of these meetings has significantly contributed to an enhanced dialogue between the parties and forward movement toward finalizing the Basic Principles for the Peaceful Settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, proposed in Madrid on November 29, 2007. >>>

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Regional analyst: Turkey-Armenia accords may heighten tension in South Caucasus

There is still much concern from Baku that Ankara could go forward with Yerevan without waiting for the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh to be decided

-26.10.2009-

News.Az interviews Eugene Chausovsky, an analyst at STRATFOR global intelligence company.

- As you know, Turkey and Armenia have signed a protocol on the development of bilateral relations and a protocol on the establishment of diplomatic ties in Zurich. Will the signing of these documents and the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border have any impact on the situation in the South Caucasus, considering the unresolved conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh?

- According to what Turkey has told Azerbaijan, Ankara will not open its border with Armenia until the Nagorno-Karabakh issue between Armenia and Azerbaijan is resolved or has made substantial progress.

However, the protocols signed between Armenia and Turkey have yet to be ratified by both country's parliaments and could still face potential deadlock, particularly in Armenia. That said, the signing of the protocols was significant, if only symbolically, but may serve to further ignite tensions in the South Caucasus rather than resolve them.

There is still much concern from Baku that Ankara could go forward with Yerevan without waiting for the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh to be decided. If this does occur, Baku will feel not only betrayed by Ankara, but will look for some ways in which to cut many of its ties to Turkey, including energy links. >>>