Hasanov's militaristic statement does not fit in logic of presidents’ possible meeting: political scientist

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The militaristic statement of Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanovdoes not fit in the logic of presidents’ possible meeting nor the OSCE MG countries’ ideas about the negotiation process. “Armenpress” reports that political scientist Tigran Abrahamyan expressed such an opinion when touching upon Zakir Hasanov’s statement and border tension.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov made another militaristic statement. He said they would take harsher measures against the Armenian side, delivering more destructive strikes. What do such statements made ahead of the meeting between Armenia and Azerbaijan presidents show? Is it an attempt to discard the possible meeting?

Let’s make something clear. Azerbaijani Defense Minister has been speaking about delivering strikes toward Armenia or Artsakh lately, immediately followed by growth in tension on the border. This means that new escalations on the border point are expected. Regarding the political component of Hasanov’s statement, certainly, it does not fit in the logic of presidents’ possible meeting nor the OSCE MG countries’ ideas about the negotiation process.

What problem does Azerbaijan solve by escalating tension on the border? Is Turkey’s influence possible in the process, taking into account that Ahmet Davutoglu made a statement in Baku defending Azerbaijani invasive aspirations?

The situation on border point was rather escalated during Turkey PM’s visit to Azerbaijan and his statement was somewhat encouraging, why not also an instructive one to consistently keep the border under tension. In Turkey they like speaking about the necessity of regional peace and stability at opportune or inopportune moments, also offering their services, but time shows that Turkey and Azerbaijan contribute with their actions to the creation of tension and “crisis spots”.

In regard to our expectations from the international community, Abrahamyan said that the international community has presented proposals over alleviating the situation and establishing trust between the parties. However, Azerbaijan, unlike Armenia and Artsakh, refused those proposals.

By Anna Gziryan