Vladimir Yevseyev: CSTO cannot be used for settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Vladimir Yevseyev: CSTO cannot be used for settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Last week two important events devoted to settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were held in Moscow. The director of the Russian Centre of Social and Political Research, Vladimir Yevseyev, commented on effectiveness of approaches suggested in these discussions in the interview to VK.

-    Recently presentation of the book Conceptual basics of recovery of the post-conflict territories of Azerbaijan has taken place. What do you think about such approach of Azerbaijan: a recovery plan of the regions, which are occupied at the moment?

-    I think it is a reasonable approach. Method of force is a dead-end. The problem of Nagorny Karabakh cannot be settled by force, because there is no obvious military advantage of one of sides. Economy approach is normal. The territory is not developing, while Azerbaijan has resources for development. Economy aspect is serious, but how Armenians, who live in Nagorny Karabakh can be convince, I have no idea.

-    But the book discusses only seven Azerbaijani regions around Nagorny Karabakh rather than Nagorny Karabakh itself.

-    The point is in the problem of security. Where has the problem of these seven regions come from? The problem of Karabakh cannot be solved separately from these regions. Returning of these regions will expose to a risk security of Nagorny Karabakh and security of transport corridor with Armenia. Armenia won’t agree with it. Economy aspect is obvious, but it is not enough. The security problem should be settled. One can say: “We have money, we can deal with economy issues. You in Armenia could also not spend money for military affairs, but for improving of prosperity of the local population.”

It is not constructive to discuss what is more important private security or welfare. If security is under threat, welfare pales into insignificance. If the problem of security is dealt, economy issues will become more and more relevant. Many aspects will be defined by the internal situation in Armenia. Who will be the next president? If the next president is from Nagorny Karabakh, I don’t think the problem will be settled. People should be more balanced and don’t strive for only one aim: continuation of occupation of Nagorny Karabakh by Armenia.

-    Recently the video link between Washington, Baku and Moscow took place. Possibility of CSTO interference, including Russia, with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was discussed. Do you think such variant of developments is possible?

-    The CSTO has no common opinion on the Nagorny Karabakh conflict. As you know, Kazakhstan supports Azerbaijan in this problem. In this situation CSTO forces cannot be used in prevention of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The CSTO is fragmentary: there is the Central Asia, Armenia, Belarus. These parts do not correlate with each other in general, even though Armenia often participates in military education of the CSTO.

I don’t see the role of the CSTO in settlement of the conflict.

Interview by Yeugeny Krishtalyev. Exclusively to VK.

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