West Interested in Azerbaijani Oil but Not Its Territorial IntegritySeptember 25, 2006 - 15:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia will not make any changes in its stand on the Karabakh issue, Russian political scientist Grigory Trofimchuk said. According to him, if the NKR authorities decide to hold a referendum on independence, this will be a decision beyond the sphere of Russia's influence. "No one will ask Russia whether to hold the referendum or not. If determined, it will be conducted on the fixed date and Russia will support it. Unlike the Transnistrian or Abkhazian issues, Russia will not engage into a political confrontation and its line on Karabakh has undergone no changes," the Russian political scientist said. Trofimchuk considers that the situation with Nagorno Karabakh differs from the situation in Transnistria and South Ossetia. "In case with Karabakh Russia will support the position of the EU and U.S. Azerbaijan will anyway come off the loser, since the West is interested in its oil but not its territorial integrity," he said, reported Day.az. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Freedom House: “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?” Freedom House has published a report summary titled “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?” Armenia says wants expanded transport, energy connectivity Pashinyan says Armenia is interested in the expansion of connectivity in transport, energy, telecommunications and other directions. Aliyev: Change in Armenia’s Constitution key for singing peace deal Ilham Aliyev has declared that most important condition for signing a peace agreement is for Armenia to change its Constitution. U.S. sees “extraordinary” opportunity for peace between Armenia, Azerbaijan U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes there is an “extraordinary” opportunity to reach a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. |