Pandemic highlights the protracted Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh | 1news.az | Новости
News HUB

Pandemic highlights the protracted Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh

15:37 - 20 / 05 / 2020
Pandemic highlights the protracted Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh

By Elin Suleymanov - Tuesday, May 19, 2020

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Sweeping through the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic attacked people’s health and damaged national economies; on a deeper level, as stated by Edward Luttwak, once described as “Machiavelli of Maryland,” the pandemic broke some convenient stereotypes about international institutions and politics.

Whether it is the questions about wisdom of depending on a single supplier, or the strong belief in European institutions, or, perhaps, a renewed interest in prudence of common-sense dietary choices, the status quo around the world is changing.

In the greater Caspian area, a regional organization, the Turkic Council, which brings together nations of Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Turkey — and, most recently, Hungary — has emerged as an effective cooperative format. 

The group was especially successful in providing mutual assistance and significantly increasing the volume of rail cargo along the Silk Road between Asia and Europe, the main artery connecting the Turkic Council nations and an important part of the recently adopted U.S. Central Asia strategy. Notably, the Turkic Council, under current chairmanship of Azerbaijan, became the first ever international organization to hold a head-of-state level online summit to address the challenge of COVID-19. 

Importantly, Azerbaijan, along with other partner nations, is pursuing governance reforms by bringing new technocratic, result-oriented leaders to key positions in the government and promoting greater political pluralism. In fact, President Trump stated his strong support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and independence in the congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev this month. 

The pandemic also highlighted the region’s weaknesses and perils, including the protracted Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The Organization for Security and Cooperation’s (OSCE) Minsk Group co-chaired by France, Russia and the United States has been mediating the negotiations for three decades with no visible progress. During the pandemic, the mediators held a video conference with foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and even adopted a joint statement.

Yet, with the world changing around the South Caucasus, Armenia seems to stick with the unsustainable and dangerous status-quo. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatzakanyan denounced the so-called Madrid Principles, which were endorsed by the presidents of France, Russia and the United States in 2009 and include main principles of a future peace agreement. While, Mr. Mnatzakanyan’s denunciation was later reiterated by various Armenian officials, the confusing part is what exactly he’s been actively negotiating for the last two years if not the principles he so suddenly dislikes?

The principles include, among other elements, gradual withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijan’s internationally-recognized territories in accordance with four U.N. Security Council resolutions, return of displaced persons, resumption of economic ties and security guarantees for both Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Neither side was excited about these principles, and Azerbaijan accepted them as a basis for negotiations with some deep reservations. 

There is no other format for the negotiations, and rejecting these, admittedly imperfect principles, simply means abandoning peace talks altogether. This is why Azerbaijan, although enduring the Armenian occupation and the displacement of a million civilians as a result of ethnic cleansing, continued pursuing peace and engaging in the Minsk Group-led negotiations. This is what independent states and responsible members of the international community do, especially in our neighborhood of global strategic importance. 

Unfortunately for Armenia, its formal independence has not yet translated into real sovereignty. Externally dependent in military and economic terms, Armenia is also visibly absent from most regional integration initiatives as a result of its self-isolation. Armenia is hostage to its indefensible occupation of Azerbaijani lands, but it does not have to be this way.

For mono-ethnic Armenia with its poor record on anti-Semitism and controversies over Nazi collaborators, who sought after racial and ethnic purity, not trusting neighbors may appear to be the safest option. Yet, this is the lowest denominator, which denies the Armenian people their future and the country its sustainable development. 

During a different crisis and in a different context, the “failure of imagination” became a key word in America’s political discourse. Such a failure of imagination, especially at the time of the crisis today, aptly describes inability to conceptualize one’s own best interests. Achieving a lasting peace and living together with neighbors, building strong economic ties and partaking in the region’s successes are best bets for true security and growth. And if not, what other good options are there? 

Having served with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Azerbaijan, I heard from so many internally displaced persons that despite their suffering and bitterness about forced exile, they are ready and willing to live next to their Armenian neighbors in peace. These sentiments are frequently voiced by the leaders of the Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Perhaps, instead of dismissing this goodwill, Armenian leaders should contemplate a future of peace as well. 

Elin Suleymanov is the ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States.

The Washington Times

 

 

 

 

 

Поделиться:
2157

Последние новости

Минимум 45 паломников погибли при падении автобуса с моста в ЮАР, выжила одна девочкаСегодня, 23:00Организовано торжественное мероприятие по случаю 105-летия органов безопасности Азербайджана - ФОТОСегодня, 22:40Азербайджанские боксеры завоевали 21 медаль на международном турнире в Баку - ФОТОСегодня, 22:20Лавров: Армения не упоминает тот факт, что именно ОДКБ отстаивала интересы ЕреванаСегодня, 22:00Таяние полярных льдов меняет скорость вращения планетыСегодня, 21:40Генсек ООН назначил азербайджанского дипломата на высокую должностьСегодня, 21:20Зеленский: Конфликт в Газе отвлек внимание мировой общественности от УкраиныСегодня, 21:00Лавров: Армения под надуманными предлогами ведет дело к обрушению отношений с РФСегодня, 20:40В течение года в Шуше будут проводиться различные мероприятия для молодежиСегодня, 20:20Обвиняемого в хищении госсредств Чингиза Мехтиева «сдала» женаСегодня, 20:03Фонд YAŞAT продолжает осуществлять меры по поддержке гази Отечественной войныСегодня, 19:40Азербайджан и Турция снимут совместный исторический фильмСегодня, 19:20Песков: Пока идет следствие, рано говорить о восстановлении «Крокуса»Сегодня, 19:00В Азербайджане зачитан приговор мужчине, убившему своего отца - брата главы ИВСегодня, 18:45В Мингячевире произошел пожар в общежитии: жильцы эвакуированы – ВИДЕОСегодня, 18:30Армянская арифметика с побочным эффектом, или Где 100 тыс., там и 150 тыс.Сегодня, 18:15Президент ЮАР поздравил Президента Ильхама АлиеваСегодня, 18:05Эрдоган: Шаги Турции по Карабаху наталкивались на противодействие глобальных силСегодня, 17:40Дипломированных специалистов, желающих получить профессиональное образование, стало большеСегодня, 17:36В Азербайджане такси будут оснащены видеокамерами, автомобили должны соответствовать «Евро-5»Сегодня, 17:35
Все новости

1news TV