YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. The addressed statement of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs was an ultimatum warning to Azerbaijan, expert in Middle East and Caucasus affairs Stanislav Tarasov told “Armenpress”, commenting on the May 18 statement of the Minsk Group Co-chairs, which says that according to information received from various sources, the Azerbaijani side fired a missile on the contact line on May 15 targeting a military object of the Armenian side.

“Azerbaijan intentionally followed the policy of wrecking the current phase of the negotiations, because there are preconditions that are not in its interests. Azerbaijan deliberately pursues confrontation, and it’s difficult to predict what it expects from that. There are different versions. I would like to believe that it will not unleash a war, but a sharp aggravation of the situation is expected. When it will occur is unclear. It’s just necessary to be vigilant and be ready”, Tarasov said, adding that the recent steps by Azerbaijan seem to be a means to check the reaction of Moscow and Yerevan.

Stanislav Tarasov does not rule out that in case of a resumption of another war it’s possible that the Minsk Group Co-chairs will officially recognize Azerbaijan an aggressor state.

“The Minsk Group Co-chairs spoke out unprecedentedly sharply against Azerbaijan, which means that demonstration of aggression by Azerbaijan is expected. After the Minsk Group recognizes Azerbaijan an aggressor it’s rather possible that the international community or some countries recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. The statement of the Minsk Group Co-chairs means that maybe they are preparing for a move”, the Russian expert said, adding that all the Co-chair countries are UNSC members, and if they recognize Azerbaijan an aggressor, Azerbaijan will not see Nagorno Karabakh even in its dreams.

Syuzi Muradyan