IS THE PEACEFUL REGULATION OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT - MISSION POSSIBLE?
Natalia Bekiarova1 and Ilina Armencheva2
1Prof. Ph.D., National Defense College, Sofia, Bulgaria, nataliab@abv.bg
2Associate professor Ph.D., National Defense College, Sofia, Bulgaria, ilina_arm@abv.bg
Abstract
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan for Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the most difficult to solve from all existing "frozen" conflicts. The knot of many problems interweaves historical burden and modern reality, occupied territories, military successes and defeats, tens of thousands killed, the fate of over one million refugees and forced evicted citizens, and a combination of Rivalry, interests and ambitions of the big international players. Almost 30 years since the beginning of the conflict and a quarter of a century of attempts for its peaceful and sustainable regulation by the OSCE Minsk Group, there is still no any progress towards its resolution. This article gives an overview of the options available to the conflict and the reasons for the lack of a solution acceptable to both parties. It also presents the current state of the conflict regulation processes and the positions of the States involved in the conflict. It is recalled the famous maxim that success in politics depends on achieving a balance between the interests of equally "unhappy" countries.
The authors share their expert point of view on the need for compromises and acceptable concessions from Armenia and Azerbaijan, the role of Russia, the USA and France, as co-chairmen of the Minsk Group, as well as and active involvement of the wider international community for a peaceful, equitable and legal resolution of the conflict.
The publication forecasts the future status of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The focus is on the new aspects in the politics of Baku and Yerevan after the last big escalation of April 2016. The current policy of the major countries involved in the conflict are clarified. Opportunities for sustainable conflict resolution are presented.
Keywords: conflict, negotiation process, OSCE Minsk Group.
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