PRE-ELECTION SITUATION AFFECTED BAKU POSITION ON KARABAKH ISSUE

PanARMENIAN.Net - In the opinion of OSCE Minsk Group former Russian Co-Chair Vladimir Kazimirov the proposal by official Baku on joint operation of the transport communications is addressed to the voters and international community. "Azerbaijan is preparing for the parliamentary elections and the calculations already affect Baku's strategy on the negotiation process", Vladimir Kazimirov said in a conversation with Vremya Novostey Russian newspaper. In his words, Armenians who are not influenced by the elections are more restrained in assessing the negotiation process. Kazimirov also noted that despite its belligerence Azerbaijan started mentioning of some trust. V. Kazimirov reminded of Baku's proposal on joint control over the highway connecting Aghdam and Nakhichevan. "The problem of communication in the conflict region is important, however it is not the key to the conflict settlement. Official Baku wishes to partially control the Lachin corridor connecting Armenia and Karabakh. During 17 years Azerbaijan has been imposing blockade on Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and the blockage tells on other states as well. He also noted that the status of Karabakh and the "liberation of the territories seized by Armenia 11-2 years ago during the hostilities" still remains the core of the dispute.