Expert: Karabakh issue can change face of regionMay 16, 2011 - 15:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Karabakh issue, along with Iran and Caspian problems, can change the face of the region, according to the first vice president of Strategic Development Modeling Center. “Still, compared to Iranian issue, Karabakh conflict is a local, tactical one, rather than strategic. Karabakh is kept in store to be used in order to clash those, who don’t strictly adhere to either Iranian or Caspian side, against each other,” Grigory Trofimchuk stated. “Suppose Azerbaijan would risk seizing Karabakh by force: Karabakh becomes a closed enclave, which means Azerbaijan’s political format would remain unchanged, with Caucasus turned into a hot spot on top of it. It’s not ruled out that in such situation Nakhijevan would be taken away from Azerbaijan “as a moral and territorial compensation,” the expert remarked. “In short, reintegrated Karabakh is a total outburst at Greater Caucasus, the repercussions of which cannot be foretold,” Novosti Azerbaijan quoted the expert as saying. The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. 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 | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |