Kosovo independence could encourage Tbilisi and Baku to introduce more positive mechanisms of conflict resolutionJune 21, 2007 - 18:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "There are many differences between Kosovo and the disputed territories in the Caucasus: demographics, population size, size of territory, and even the former constitutional relations between autonomous units and Soviet republics," Mr Cory Welt, Deputy Director and Fellow of Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net "And even if Kosovo becomes independent, no one is suggesting that it should become, for example, a precedent for Iraqi Kurdistan's independence. At the same time, independence for Kosovo will make Georgia and Azerbaijan more aware than ever before that independence for breakaway territories is theoretically a possible outcome for their conflicts as well. Possibly, this could encourage Georgia and Azerbaijan to think more creatively about how to preempt such outcomes by introducing more peaceful and positive mechanisms of conflict resolution," Mr Welt said. 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 | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |