Negotiations must be welcomed – Armenian expert

The very fact of the conflicting parties negotiating can only be welcomed, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan told reporters on Tuesday as he spoke of an Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting expected to take place in Saint Petersburg.

“I do not think serious progress is possible at the meeting, but this is additional experience in maintaining relations and the format to resolve this interethnic conflict,” Mr Iskandaryan said.

He is pessimistic about implementation of an agreement on investigative mechanisms.

“Azerbaijan is going to oppose it, which is only logical,” the expert said.

In response to Tert.am’s question as to whether the Russia’s apparently “flirting” with Azerbaijan amid expectations about an Armenian-Azerbaijani meeting, with both the sides making flattering statements, Mr Iskandaryan said:

“I see it and there is nothing bad about it. Russia has its own agenda: it has been and will go on developing its relations with Azerbaijan, as well as with Kazakhstan, Belarus and other states. Does it have to do with Armenian-Azerbaijani relations? Yes. It does. Russia is maintaining relations with Azerbaijan, while it has to consider its agenda with Armenia and vice versa.”

He sees serious interaction between Armenia and Russia in terms of arms supplies and security.

“This is part of the process, and it is going to be so forever. Russia will always seek to extend its influence over Armenia and Azerbaijan, to Armenia’s benefit in some cases and to Azerbaijan’s in others.”