Radar Armenia talked to Shahan Gantaharyan, an internationalist, analyst, and editor-in-chief of "Azdak" newspaper, about the ongoing developments in the region.

- The Azerbaijani side handed over five more prisoners to Armenia. This step was welcomed by the special representative of the European Union, Toivo Klaar. Is this the result of the Brussels meeting? Why did Azerbaijan decide to send prisoners to Armenia right now?

- It is not the first time prisoners of war have been repatriated immediately after the meeting in Brussels. Michelle's statement underscored this need. There was an analytical approach that Brussels would primarily focus on humanitarian issues, leaving the political solution to Moscow. However, the mediating competition is gradually getting sharper, with the Washington-Brussels coordination on the one hand and the influential role of Moscow on the other. This competition became more evident, especially after the war in Ukraine.

- On the one hand, Azerbaijan transfers prisoners to Armenia. On the other hand, almost every day, false statements are made that the Armenian side fired in the direction of the Azerbaijani positions. How would you interpret Azerbaijan's way of working?

- Baku consistently continues to shoot with one hand and negotiate with the other. After the victory, Azerbaijan tried to implement the optional points of the agreements and, in that sense, showed haste. This haste is combined with military operations, the purpose of which is to suppress the optional points of the agreement on the Armenian side. The most emphatic example of this approach was the demand to close the Berdzor corridor and start the construction of the Armenian section of the new route, even before the agreed date.

- Igor Kovalev, the special representative of the Russian Foreign Minister on the issues of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, is visiting Baku. It is noted that the diplomat will arrive in Yerevan from Baku. Also in the region is Philip Ricker, Senior Adviser on Caucasian Negotiations, Ambassador, and US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. What problem are Russia and the USA trying to solve?

- I think we will witness the visit of Russian envoys to the USA and the EU to the region. Riker's appointment and a quick visit to the area are considered bright signs of this. The part will turn into a competitive field for organizing meetings and visits. However, the diplomatic hustle and bustle do not necessarily mean that the solutions will take place at the same speed. The politicization of the region suggests rapprochement and alienation, which implies a stretching of the status quo.

Hayk Magowan