Expert: Kazan-hosted meeting on Karabakh issue will end in declaration of good intentJune 14, 2011 - 20:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Gaidz Minassian, associate researcher of the French Foundation of Strategic Research (FRS), shared his view on progress in Karabakh issue and expectations from Kazan-hosted Armenia- Russia- Azerbaijan presidential meeting in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. “It's been nearly three years since diplomatic meetings conclude with a declaration by the states of the Minsk Group or by President of Armenia and Azerbaijan under Russian mediation. But if the statements are important, they are largely symbolic and talked about only intentions. But intentions are not goodwill. Gradually, a process parallel to the Minsk Group was established and today we have two references for Karabakh conflict settlement: the Principles of Madrid and the Principles of Sochi. The former are less generic than the latter,” the French expert said. Commenting on presidential meeting in Kazan, Mr. Minassian noted, “there will likely be a declaration of good intent but Azerbaijan and Armenia will not go further than a reminder of the Principles. Remains to be seen which, Madrid or Sochi ? Here is the whole issue. Neither is willing to assume the role of bad guy in the eyes of Medvedev, Sarkozy and Obama, but neither is willing to sacrifice its interests. A new deal has been grafted on the Karabakh peace process. The domestic politics of Armenia and Azerbaijan is creating new conditions that may influence the course of negotiations.” 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 | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |