The issue of replacement of the French mandate with that of the European Union in OSCE Minsk Group is the product of Azerbaijan’s active policy, Armenian political analyst said.

Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan deemed such a shift hardly probable due to OSCE MG’s being a well-established format in which current co-chairs are quite pleased with the group’s composition.

The expert stressed setting a precedent for the format shift as Azerbaijan’s primary goal, as it constantly voices its discontent with the group’s activity.

“Azerbaijan aims to demonstrate its strength, its role and activity. It strives to intensify its presence in the South Caucasus region. And finally, it serves a tool for Azerbaijan to settle own problems. Calling attention to external issues, the authorities pursue a totalitarian policy, strengthening the system and destroying the opposition,”

On March 23, European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted a document on Armenia, proposing to replace France’s mandate in OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement with that of the European Union. The document is to be put to vote at European Parliament’s plenary session supposedly in a month.