Why does Aliyev escalate situation on the border?
There are many factors in international relations and politics, which, although do not directly relate to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, have a direct impact on us. We feel this influence especially with regard to the Karabakh conflict, says Stepan Safaryan, Head of the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs. He says it is especially important to understand as to what extent the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries are involved in international conflicts. "We know that the relations are especially strained between the US and Russia. In the international arena, they will also fight over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The situation in Turkey can also influence us although that country [Turkey] is not a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, however, it is an interested side that pursues its own interests,” he said. The political analyst also calls attention to the behaviour of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. “Several years ago, when Hilary Clinton and Sergey Lavrov visited the region, Azerbaijani armed forces activated in the region, increasing the number of ceasefire violations and causing casualties whereas the situation on the border was relatively calm throughout the European games. By escalating tensions on the border, Aliyev wants to remind the international players of the Karabakh conflict,” Mr Safaryan added.
