Karabakh problem should be resolved by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and RussiaSeptember 16, 2008 - 17:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The fate of a Caucasus alliance is in the hands of leading regional powers - Russia and Turkey, a Russian expert said. "All understand that conflicts damage not only political but also economic relations. Armenia is surrounded by Turkey and Azerbaijan, what hampers it economic development," said Alexander Sotnichenko, senior lecturer at St. Petersburg State University. At the same time he remarked that routing its oil via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, Baku suffers huge losses. "The pipe goes around Armenia, thus becoming one of the most expensive and unprofitable," he said. "The problems should be resolved consistently, without interference of countries which don't know anything about the situation in Caucasus," the expert emphasized. As to absence of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Nagorno Karabakh in the Stability and Cooperation Platform, Sotnichenko said, it's not an obstacle for economic and political ties. "Russia and Japan hasn't signed a peaceful agreement yet, but it doesn't hamper normal relations. Turkey has the problem of Cyprus. The EU views Turkey as occupant but enjoys good relations with it. So, such problems are solvable," he said. Touching on the Karabakh problem, the expert said, "If we recognize Karabakh, we will damage relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey. The problem should be resolved through talks, with participation of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia," Nakanune.ru reports. 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 | About 173 million drams and more than 30 beneficiary funds. "The Power of One Dram" is 4 years old In June 2020, the exclusive joint corporate social responsibility initiative of Idram and IDBank "The Power of One Dram" was launched. CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. |