CNN Indonesia
Thursday, 05 Oct 2023 17:55 IWST
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (left) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (right). (AFP/KENZO TRIBOUILLARD)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
President Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev did not consult with the Prime Minister Armenia Nikol Pashinyan after the two countries were involved in armed clashes again in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh recently.
Aliyev withdrew from the EU-brokered talks. In fact, Pashinyan stated that he would come to the negotiations on Thursday (5/10) in Spain.
According to Azerbaijan’s state-run news agency, WHAT, Aliyev wanted to come if there was a Turkish representative. However, France and Germany objected so he felt there was an “anti-Azerbaijani atmosphere” at the meeting.
A source in the Azerbaijani government also confirmed this Reuters that Aliyev would not come to the talks. Instead, the source said Aliyev was willing to talk in a three-way format with Pashinyan and EU Council President Charles Michel.
Azerbaijani forces launched a lightning offensive last September to regain control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, whose population is mostly Armenian. However, not long after the attack, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire.
For a long time, the Nagorno-Karabakh region has been a flashpoint for the two countries. Until now, not a single peace agreement has been successfully concluded.
According to Caucasus analyst at the International Crisis Group, Olesya Vartanyan, Aliyev’s absence from the current negotiations is a major setback.
Vertanyan believes that the clash between the two countries could get worse if the two sides stop talking.
“It was very important for him to come, after the military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, to recommit to the (peace) process with the mediation of the European Union and the United States,” he said.
If there are no further talks, the prospect of Azerbaijan and Armenia making peace could become even more remote.
(blq/rds)
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2023-10-05 10:55:00
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