Fikret Sadykhov says resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict failed despite Russian efforts

Fikret Sadykhov, an Azerbaijani political analyst and professor at the Western University, says that Russian activity, in particular efforts by the Russian president, was quite high this year. 8 trilateral meetings show Russia's commitment to resolving the conflict. But the problem is lack of results, despite resolutions, decisions of international organizations and declarations of state leaders, including Russia, to withdraw Armenian forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

In an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza, Sadykhov emphasized that the balance of the sides does not provide a real reflection of the picture, the situation is different. The attempts by Dmitry Medvedev to withdraw his personal assistance in settling the conflict is a natural process, because the president has a few months left before his term of office ends. Russian presidential polls would hardly bring visible results.

Medvedev said that the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the only one in post-Soviet space that needs an urgent settlement.

The president said that a lot has been done in the last years to reach an agreement. A lot depends on the good will of the sides. An agreement should be reached through compromise. Russia will continue assisting in the process, he added.

Medvedev noted that he discussed the issue with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev when the Azerbaijani leader called him to congratulate him on the polling results.

Russia and the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group continue their efforts, Medvedev says. The Russian president discussed the process with US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The Russian leader congratulated Aliyev on the 50th anniversary on Sunday. The Azerbaijani president praised the organization of the CIS summit in Moscow.