Karabakh 'bridges' Russia and US (video)
In the tense geopolitical situation both the West and Russia pursue their own interests. “They see to it that there is no threat of war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh,” says Alexander Iskandaryan, the Director of the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute. Russia and the US are the key players in the OSCE Minsk Group. Acting on behalf of the European Union France is engaged in bringing Armenia and Azerbaijan around the same table. In addition, the country is carrying out another mission, says Director of the Baku-based Turan Information Agency, Mehman Aliyev. He believes that France is trying to be a mediator between Russian and US co-chairs. The Azerbaijan guest of A1+’s Red Bridge program thinks Russia will weaken its positions in the South Caucasus if it gets compensation for it. Alexander Iskandaryan disagrees saying Russia considers its presence in the region very important. Both political analysts say it is unrealistic to expect any breakthrough in talks over Karabakh in 2015. Parliamentary elections are set to be held in Azerbaijan in autumn 2015. The experience of the past 26 years has shown that neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan takes steps towards the conflict settlement during elections.
