By Vasily Birkin exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
My trip was going from Spain’s Lleida to Andorra la Vella using the C-14 highway. I was in silence, thinking about the upcoming meeting with an old friend who had settled in the capital of the microstate long ago. A typical North Pyrenees landscape was flashing by outside the window: mountains, valleys, houses of stone. My thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the car navigator: “Atencion! La frontera nacional” (Attention! The state frontier) The navigator was a little ahead of events. Road signs were saying that it was a kilometer left before the border. In my mind, I was imagining a control post with a strict officer in a black uniform who would probably check my car and wish me safe travels. As is known, Andorra is not part of the European Union, although its borders with the EU are certainly open, a customs office, though formal, should be there.
The next road sign said that I was on the territory of Andorra. There was no customs office in its classic manifestation. No one was going to stop my rented car with Spanish plates and check documents. I do not know why but I had a little feeling of disappointment, maybe even displeasure. The mountains, the stone houses reminded me of Caucasus landscapes. Somewhere on the crossing of Azerbaijan and Armenia. But it feels more hearty there, more familiar, if you ask.
I have never been to Nagorno-Karabakh. One time, my Armenian friend Arik offered me to visit it (I was at Lake Sevan at that time). “It is not hard, but remember that they will put a stamp in your passport and you will not be allowed to enter Azerbaijan,” he assured. This option was unacceptable. Closing the path to my dear Baku, losing the opportunity to see so many friends, never to walk along the Baku coastline, Old Baku… We almost approached the border, as I asked. A picturesque landscape opened out of the Kalbajar District of Azerbaijan, one of the seven occupied provinces of Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh was nearby. But the route there was taboo.
… I was driving on road C-14 and suddenly figured what Andorra and Nagorno-Karabakh had in common. And maybe a recipe for the success of the Karabakh land was hiding somewhere here, in the Principality of Andorra.
The placename Andorra is of Basque origin. It means “barrens.” Thinking about the occupied Azerbaijani lands, the hundreds of thousands of refugees, the term seems suitable for Karabakh.
Andorra is a prosperous principality lost somewhere between France and Spain. Its population has a high income. Nonetheless, life in Andorra is relatively cheap. The territory is a huge duty free zone. Duty free products are concentrated on three big streets. You can buy anything you want. Prices, for example, for strong spirits or Swiss chocolate here are almost half those at international airports. There is plenty of recreation in Andorra, mainly skiing, skating and walking, thermal baths, shopping. That is probably it. There is space for business, it is a tax oasis, a banking haven. The country is mostly inhabited by Andorrans, Spanish and French. Hundreds of thousands of tourists stay here. I wish the same future for Nagorno-Karabakh.
The history of Andorra proves that a prosperous state does not need to be proud and independent. It just needs to be proud alone. The police of Andorra have the right to kick out of the principality anyone who gravely violates locals laws or shows disrespect to the country.
The independence of Andorra is relative. The principality is associated with Spain and France, a vassal of two countries. De jure, the territory is controlled by vicars of the French president and a Spanish bishop. Since 1278, France and Spain have been securing Andorra. The currency is the euro. There is no army, only police. Andorra is a parliamentary democracy. It lives according to own, partly French, partly Spanish laws.
I think that Andorra could serve as a pattern for Nagorno-Karabakh. It needs the will of countries that would guarantee peace and development. Azerbaijan and Armenia are perfect for the role. Imagine Armenia returning the seven occupied provinces to its neighbour. Together with Azerbaijan, they could gradually give them “Andorran” status, fixing it with international agreements. Baku has all the needed funds to solve many problems: restoration of infrastructure and production, construction of housing for those willing to return. Less rich Armenia is rich with human potential, such as specialists and workers. It is no secret that Armenia has high unemployment, many people aged 30-35 have never had a stable salary. With growing investments from both sides, Karabakh could start its path in the Andorran direction.
Such an innovative decision could rid the planet of a hotbed of tensions. Reaching an agreement with Azerbaijan, Armenia would free itself from the long economic blockade that has brought nothing but losses to the countries affected. Maybe Yerevan could resolve the problem of population outflow. Azerbaijan and Armenia could help hundreds of thousands of refugees that became captives of the Karabakh conflict.
Skeptics would say that those are unrealizable dreams, that the land of Karabakh is soaked with the blood of Azerbaijanis and Armenians and that a lot of time should pass before anything is forgotten. I will respond. Plenty of time has passed. I will refer to Europe again. The French and Germans are different, in terms of religion, language, world perception, they have been fighting throughout history, including in world wars. They are good neighbours now. One of the symbols of friendship and unity of the European peoples is Strasbourg, which has been in the hands of France and Germany several times. That is why many European institutions, for example, the European Human Rights Court of Strasbourg, are located there.
Azerbaijanis and Armenians were coexisting in Nagorno-Karabakh in the 19th century when it became part of the Russian Empire and since the mid-1920s after the establishment of Soviet power. They were consolidated by trade, Russians and the good-neighbourly relations sacred to all the peoples of the Caucasus. I believe that it is possible today. It will not happen without Russia’s help.
Russia makes all possible diplomatic efforts within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group to keep peace in the region. Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev will meet in Sochi soon. The recent events on the border require immediate decisions. I note that the presidents will meet in Sochi, not Paris or Washington, although the U.S. and France are part of the Minsk Group just like Russia. Both sides of the conflict trust our country more. Russia has the best understanding of the problem, warmer and more trustful relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Americans would generally benefit from hotbeds of tensions on the southern borders of Russia, in the context of the conflict in the south-east of Ukraine. Russia cannot allow a full-scale war to break out. This is why Russia should enforce a new peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Russia prevented international intervention in Syria, although the U.S. and many other countries thought the issue was resolved. Russia can build an Andorran Karabakh. A special status for the territory, guaranteed by Russia, could become a pattern for settlement of territorial disputes and resolution of fates of unrecognized state formations.
No one has ever resolved the problems of unrecognized republics without blood in modern history. I believe that Russia can and should do it.
Andorra could serve as pattern for Nagorno-Karabakh, it needs political willBy Vasily Birkin exclusively for Vestnik KavkazaMy trip was going from Spain’s Lleida to Andorra la Vella using the C-14 highway. I was in silence, thinking about the upcoming meeting with an old friend who had settled in the capital of the microstate long ago. A typical North Pyrenees landscape was flashing by outside the window: mountains, valleys, houses of stone. My thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the car navigator: “Atencion! La frontera nacional” (Attention! The state frontier) The navigator was a little ahead of events. Road signs were saying that it was a kilometer left before the border. In my mind, I was imagining a control post with a strict officer in a black uniform who would probably check my car and wish me safe travels. As is known, Andorra is not part of the European Union, although its borders with the EU are certainly open, a customs office, though formal, should be there.The next road sign said that I was on the territory of Andorra. There was no customs office in its classic manifestation. No one was going to stop my rented car with Spanish plates and check documents. I do not know why but I had a little feeling of disappointment, maybe even displeasure. The mountains, the stone houses reminded me of Caucasus landscapes. Somewhere on the crossing of Azerbaijan and Armenia. But it feels more hearty there, more familiar, if you ask.I have never been to Nagorno-Karabakh. One time, my Armenian friend Arik offered me to visit it (I was at Lake Sevan at that time). “It is not hard, but remember that they will put a stamp in your passport and you will not be allowed to enter Azerbaijan,” he assured. This option was unacceptable. Closing the path to my dear Baku, losing the opportunity to see so many friends, never to walk along the Baku coastline, Old Baku… We almost approached the border, as I asked. A picturesque landscape opened out of the Kalbajar District of Azerbaijan, one of the seven occupied provinces of Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh was nearby. But the route there was taboo.… I was driving on road C-14 and suddenly figured what Andorra and Nagorno-Karabakh had in common. And maybe a recipe for the success of the Karabakh land was hiding somewhere here, in the Principality of Andorra.The placename Andorra is of Basque origin. It means “barrens.” Thinking about the occupied Azerbaijani lands, the hundreds of thousands of refugees, the term seems suitable for Karabakh.Andorra is a prosperous principality lost somewhere between France and Spain. Its population has a high income. Nonetheless, life in Andorra is relatively cheap. The territory is a huge duty free zone. Duty free products are concentrated on three big streets. You can buy anything you want. Prices, for example, for strong spirits or Swiss chocolate here are almost half those at international airports. There is plenty of recreation in Andorra, mainly skiing, skating and walking, thermal baths, shopping. That is probably it. There is space for business, it is a tax oasis, a banking haven. The country is mostly inhabited by Andorrans, Spanish and French. Hundreds of thousands of tourists stay here. I wish the same future for Nagorno-Karabakh.The history of Andorra proves that a prosperous state does not need to be proud and independent. It just needs to be proud alone. The police of Andorra have the right to kick out of the principality anyone who gravely violates locals laws or shows disrespect to the country.The independence of Andorra is relative. The principality is associated with Spain and France, a vassal of two countries. De jure, the territory is controlled by vicars of the French president and a Spanish bishop. Since 1278, France and Spain have been securing Andorra. The currency is the euro. There is no army, only police. Andorra is a parliamentary democracy. It lives according to own, partly French, partly Spanish laws.I think that Andorra could serve as a pattern for Nagorno-Karabakh. It needs the will of countries that would guarantee peace and development. Azerbaijan and Armenia are perfect for the role. Imagine Armenia returning the seven occupied provinces to its neighbour. Together with Azerbaijan, they could gradually give them “Andorran” status, fixing it with international agreements. Baku has all the needed funds to solve many problems: restoration of infrastructure and production, construction of housing for those willing to return. Less rich Armenia is rich with human potential, such as specialists and workers. It is no secret that Armenia has high unemployment, many people aged 30-35 have never had a stable salary. With growing investments from both sides, Karabakh could start its path in the Andorran direction.Such an innovative decision could rid the planet of a hotbed of tensions. Reaching an agreement with Azerbaijan, Armenia would free itself from the long economic blockade that has brought nothing but losses to the countries affected. Maybe Yerevan could resolve the problem of population outflow. Azerbaijan and Armenia could help hundreds of thousands of refugees that became captives of the Karabakh conflict.Skeptics would say that those are unrealizable dreams, that the land of Karabakh is soaked with the blood of Azerbaijanis and Armenians and that a lot of time should pass before anything is forgotten. I will respond. Plenty of time has passed. I will refer to Europe again. The French and Germans are different, in terms of religion, language, world perception, they have been fighting throughout history, including in world wars. They are good neighbours now. One of the symbols of friendship and unity of the European peoples is Strasbourg, which has been in the hands of France and Germany several times. That is why many European institutions, for example, the European Human Rights Court of Strasbourg, are located there.Azerbaijanis and Armenians were coexisting in Nagorno-Karabakh in the 19th century when it became part of the Russian Empire and since the mid-1920s after the establishment of Soviet power. They were consolidated by trade, Russians and the good-neighbourly relations sacred to all the peoples of the Caucasus. I believe that it is possible today. It will not happen without Russia’s help.Russia makes all possible diplomatic efforts within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group to keep peace in the region. Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev will meet in Sochi soon. The recent events on the border require immediate decisions. I note that the presidents will meet in Sochi, not Paris or Washington, although the U.S. and France are part of the Minsk Group just like Russia. Both sides of the conflict trust our country more. Russia has the best understanding of the problem, warmer and more trustful relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan.The Americans would generally benefit from hotbeds of tensions on the southern borders of Russia, in the context of the conflict in the south-east of Ukraine. Russia cannot allow a full-scale war to break out. This is why Russia should enforce a new peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.Russia prevented international intervention in Syria, although the U.S. and many other countries thought the issue was resolved. Russia can build an Andorran Karabakh. A special status for the territory, guaranteed by Russia, could become a pattern for settlement of territorial disputes and resolution of fates of unrecognized state formations.No one has ever resolved the problems of unrecognized republics without blood in modern history. I believe that Russia can and should do
