The interlocutor of Radar Armenia is Shahan Gantaharyan, an international scientist and analyst.
- What is your impression after the Pashinyan-Aliev-Macron-Michel quadrilateral meeting? Do you see the prerequisites for achieving lasting peace in the region?
- I think it is too early to talk about peace in the region. The quadrilateral meeting should be considered globally to counterbalance Russian influence. And in terms of the pure process, two points need additional clarification. That being said, Armenia and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter and 1991. According to the Alma-Ata declaration, through which both sides recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, the issue of Artsakh's affiliation or, in general, the status remains uncertain. This is the first point of the peace plan proposed by Azerbaijan, without adding the Armenian side. Secondly, contrary to the references of the UN Charter and the Alma Ata Declaration, it is not clear on which map the delimitation-demarcation process will take place.
- The meeting participants made a joint statement, talking about the work of the demarcation commissions and that their next session will be held in Brussels by the end of October. How to understand this? Does the West accept Russia's commitment in matters of border demarcation?
- In terms of delimitation, deadlines were set both for the meeting of the commissions and the start of the work of the European civil mission. The functions of the civilian mission were not detailed. The period of activity is two months. After mediation, Europe is trying to enter the region step by step in the form of practical actions. The processes should be understood regarding the drive to penetrate the Russian domain and the policy of forming other guarantee platforms related to the Turkish-Russian agreements.
- The day before yesterday, the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, announced that the Russian Federation had forwarded comprehensive proposals to the parties. He also stated that they do not engage in special advertising activities, which have nothing to do with it. How to understand this?
- Zakharova's statement is consistent with Putin's speech, where it was clearly stated that the key to stopping the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is the boundary and distinction with the Russian guarantee. This means that the key to the solution lies exclusively with Moscow. Zakharova says in different wording.
- Will Russia try to directly and indirectly, interfere with this European initiative?
- I think that there will be diplomatic actions of assurance and mediation. Washington will encourage the EU to mediate actively, organize meetings, install monitoring tools, and develop new compositions for the peacekeeping mission. Moscow will work to coordinate its mediation role with Ankara and constantly refer to the implementation of tripartite agreements. Let's not forget that in the cease-fire announcement made with Russian architecture, the control functions were assigned to the Russian Federation by opening communication channels for unblocking the region.
Hayk Magoyan
