Political scientist: Azerbaijan is doing everything to frustrate the meeting of presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan is doing everything to frustrate the planned meeting of presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Political Scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan expressed such a viewpoint in a press-conference at “Armenpress” media hall, stating that Aliyev’s activities speak about that.
“Subvert the negotiation process. This is the task Aliyev has set for himself. The incidents of the last days that occurred in different parts of the border display that the Azerbaijani authorities try to solve two issues. First, to do so that the meeting between the presidents does not take place, and second, if the meeting takes place, to change the agenda. To speak not about the conflict settlement but about making the border situation controlled”, the political scientist said.
According to Hrant Melik-Shanazaryan, Aliyev seems to consider the process of negotiations over. He is no longer engaged in negotiation process and has directed all issues referring to it to the Defense Minister of Azerbaijan. The aim is to frustrate that meeting relying on military methods. In the words of Shahnazaryan, if Aliyev has no interest in the negotiations, expectations from the planned meeting wane. He belives that in this stage maximum that can be achieved is de-escalation of the border situation.
Referring to the proposal of American congressmen aimed at alleviating border tension, the political scientist said, “If Azerbaijan has denied the use of all the mechanisms and real plans proposed till now and aimed at ensuring the security of bordering communities, I think nothing has changed in Azerbaijan and that denialism will go on. We can notice that in the recent period the discussions are held in the format of Armenia-Minsk Group. Azerbaijan denies everything, refuses any proposal and does nothing to support peaceful settlement”.
President Serz Sargsyan will pay a working visit to Switzerland on December 18 and will hold a meeting with Azerbaijani president Aliyev on December 19 under the mediation of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs.