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Panorama.am has conducted an interview with Dr. Gaidz Minassian, researcher at the Foundation of Strategic Research (FRS), France.  

Commenting on US Minsk Group Co-Chair James Warlick’s latest statement on Nagorno-Karabakh Dr. Minassian said that Warlick detailed six of the Madrid's Principles “in order to remind that the Madrid Principles remain valid and there is no alternative to the Minsk Group.” According to the expert both James Warlick and US Ambassador John Heffern stressed the issue of territories because the central issue is the status of Nagorno-Karabakh and distinguishing the administrative territories of Nagorno-Karabakh former Autonomous Region from those under the control of Armenian forces in the Republic of Artsakh; they wanted to retain some form of neutrality.

In this regard Dr. Minassian also commented on the statement made by the spokesman for the President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Davit Babayan, who referring to the Constitution of the NKR said that there are no liberated or any other territories, but only one territory – the Artsakh Republic. In this regard Dr. Minassian said that the Republic of Artsakh includes all territories under the control of Armenian forces and only a referendum can determine a new status, which will be a major challenge involving both diplomatic and constitutional difficulties. 

As for the question of whether the negotiated deal is realistic and is ever likely to result in peace, G. Minassian said, “It is very difficult because there are so many differences between the parties that it is impossible to imagine peace concretely. As long as states, for example Azerbaijan, opt for nationalism, peace will not advance. As long as civil society is not involved in the peace process, we will not progress. For Armenia Nagorno-Karabakh is a security issue; for Azerbaijan it is a question of power. But the problem is that Baku used war rhetoric as a tactic, which does not advance peace. The international community knows very well which state slows any peace process. Azerbaijan cannot bear the thought that it has lost the war to Armenians.”

Asked about the reasons why the US has brought the Nagorno-Karabakh issue to the agenda especially now, Dr. Minassian said, “This intervention arises in the Ukrainian crisis. We know that the relations between Russia and the United States are experiencing an era of turbulence. Washington wants to show that Russia is not the only power able to be proactive in the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh. Finally, we must do everything to save the Minsk Group. Warlick wanted to remind about the neutrality of the US after being severely criticized by Baku, which accused him of being out of his neutrality as a mediator. Also, this intervention occurs in the process of recognition of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh by California. Is there a way to dissuade California regulators to vote in favour of recognition of independence? No... This is a serious question.”

Elaborating further on the question of recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic by California, Dr. Minassian said, “California is the most important, the richest and the most populous state of the Union. So you can imagine the impact on the Karabakh issue. It is true that the decision is not official and the California Senate must also decide, but the Assembly's decision reflects something important in the debate in the United States. After the vote of the California Assembly, Mr. Warlick could not say anything other than what he said.” 

Interview by Nvard Chalikyan