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There are three factors which had a significant impact on political developments in the Karabakh conflict settlement on the threshold of the meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers held on October 27, political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan told reporters in Yerevan.

“The first factor is the extradition and heroization of Azeri axe murderer Ramil Safarov. It is important that President Sargsyan stressed that regional security is maintained only thanks to the military strength and potential of the Armenian side, i.e. under the circumstances, the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group mediator countries were pushed to the background.

The second important factor is the recognition of Artsakh by Australia's largest state of New South Wales. It means that the recognition of Artsakh appeared as a political factor.

The third factor is the recognition of South Sudan independence by Azerbaijan. Through that move, Azerbaijan to some extent accepted the right of nations to self-determination,” said the expert.

Referring to the negotiation process, Melik-Shahnazaryan noted that currently the Co-Chair countries are working at new proposals.

“We should establish that no one, neither the Co-Chairs countries nor the conflicting sides, speaks about the Madrid Principles any longer, which allows us to conclude that this document, as such, is no longer at the negotiating table.”

According to him, Turkey wants to become Co-Chair of the Minsk Group to be able to increase its influence on political processes in the Transcaucasus but understands that it is impossible, should the current format be maintained.