July 16, 2009 - 18:02 AMT
Madrid Principles halved and obscure
Trilateral statement by the leaders of OSCE MG co-chair states, promulgation of Madrid Principles and agreement on Nabucco signed in Ankara suggests that the decision on stepwise political resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict was taken by key regional actors and that the role of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the process considerably decreased, an Armenian expert said.
 
"Nevertheless, Madrid Principles are halved and obscure. The first provision envisages return of territories around Karabakh to Azeri control. Does it mean that Azerbaijan will be granted the right to deploy troops there? The provision on corridor is not understandable either. Provision 4 does not clarify who will determine the status of Nagorno Karabakh: one person or NKR people. The provisions on peacekeeping forces and refugees are vague," Ruben Meghrabyan, an expert at Armenian center of international and political studies, told PanARMENIAN.Net.  
 
This document may imply any solution: from formation of de jure independent state up to de-Armenization of Karabakh, according to him.
 
"Armenia must be creative, cautious and cold-blooded. Upcoming political battles will be a solidity test for the Armenian state system, since the above mentioned provisions testify of fundamental regional transformations," Meghrabyan said.