The airport in Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be launched before the conflict is resolved, say experts
The Huffington Post published an article "Khojaly - More Than Just
an Airport". The author of the article, Chris Pincher, British Conservative
MP and chair of the Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group, suggests
that opening the airport is an election-related step by Serge
Sargsyan, who, in his view, does not want to consider a resolution of
the conflict: "The proposal to open the airport may have as much to do
with low politics as high principle: Armenian President Serge
Sarkisian is running for re-election in February and the announcement
will certainly make for good headlines in Yerevan."
"At first glance this might not appear to be a hugely provocative
move. However, most experts suggest that the potential opening
violates international law, including several provisions of the
Chicago Convention - in particular, articles 1, 2, 5, 6, 10-16, 24 and
68. Legally, Khojaly airport cannot operate, as unauthorised flights
through Azerbaijani airspace are not permitted without that
government's sanction, and any violations could have unpredictable
consequences. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a
specialised UN agency, is also strongly supportive of Azerbaijan on
this issue," Pincher writes.
"But leaving all the legal implications aside, such a step could only
undermine precisely what the international community is working hard
for - slow and steady progress through peace talks and confidence
building measures. So it is not surprising that the international
reaction to the proposed re-opening was unequivocal in its
condemnation," he concludes.
