No need of Yerevan-Baku direct contacts, expert says

The current format of talks over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is enough for maintaining ties between Yerevan and Baku, political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan said speaking to Tert.am, commenting on the recent publication of the Huffington Post – 7 Lessons of Cuban crisis for Karabakh conflict – that claims about necessity of direct communication between Yerevan and Baku.
 
"Political contacts are more than enough. Azerbaijani president is one of the leaders our president often meets with. Thus, there is no issue in regard of political contacts," he said.
 
"As to other types of cooperation, it should be noted that their absence has objective reasons, with the most important of them Baku's continuing Armenophobia policy being a priority there," the expert said.
 
Levon Shiriniyan, another political scientist, says for him the establishment of direct ties is acceptable and necessary but it is impossible as of the moment.
 
"Turks will not establish ties in this situation, if the balance is violated and they appear in complicated condition, they will undertake any mean step," he said. "The creation of direct ties would have allowed to avoid accidents. We do not have it now, instead it is being done by mediators and they always come forth from their interests," the analyst said.
 
Referring to the current contacts between the leaders of the two countries, Levon Shirinyan said it is a courtesy gesture.
 
The expert said they are being forced to it by the big powers, and non participation of any of the sides would mean ignoring and appearing as aggressor.
 
Shirinyan agreed with the American publication that currently neither of the conflicting parties has military excellence. He said that is why peace has been preserved for 21 years.
 
"Azerbaijan is being armed, sells oil, but does not reach superiority. It means we are playing well and we are quite strong," he said.
 
"The contrary evidence of it would be if Azerbaijan passed to military actions. But it knows quite well that it cannot overcome Armenia. The situation must continue until Azerbaijan is imposed peace," Shirinyan said, stressing tha the time for it will come.
 
Political analyst Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan is convinced that the advantage is on the Armenian side.
 
"As far as we are able to solve our minimal issues – ensure the security of our country – and Azerbaijan fails to solve the issue it has put in front of it – to occupy Artsakh Republic – the advantage is on our side," he said.
 
Melik-Shahnazaryan said though Azerbaijan is trying to present its military expenditures as an achievement or advantage over Armenia and Karabakh, the statements are more of propagating nature than have a real impact on the balance of forces.
 
He said today Armenia's ammunition allows to easily stop any encroachment by Azerbaijan. The analyst said Azerbaijan will immediately start war if it is convinced in its victory.
 
"As far as there is no such conviction, Azerbaijan continues acting in the field of populist speculations. We do not have unprotected positions today and each village and territory is under stable protection," he said.   Read more... (530 words)

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