ANKARA—A stage-by-stage approach that includes the so-called gradual withdrawal of Armenian troops and the reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border is being proposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, reported the Hurriyet Daily News.
The status of Karabakh would be defined at the final stage of the plan, said Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov.
“This is the only single instrumental approach if anyone is really interested in solving the Karabakh issue,” Azimov told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review during a trip to Ankara late last week.
The Azerbaijani official’s talks in the Turkish capital, which focused on the details of the two countries’ new cooperation plan as well as the Karabakh negotiations, preceded an expected trip this week by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Moscow.
“This proposal for a staged approach to the Karabakh dispute has been, to a certain extent, a skeleton of the negotiations for the co-chairs,” said Azimov, deputy foreign minister since 1994 and a diplomat who has participated in the Minsk process since 1992, actively working with Turkish ambassadors Candan Azer, Deryal Batıbay and Ünal Çeviköz.
“You have Armenians in the territories, it [Armenia] has to be there. The territory belongs to the Azerbaijanis. It [Azerbaijan] has to be there. You have to come up with a combination of these two within the framework of such a staged process that guarantees the process will not be reversed,” Azimov said.
The plan, which Ankara and Baku shared with international actors in the Minsk Group – Washington, Moscow and Paris – is based on an understanding aimed at bringing normality to Armenia in its relationship with Turkey and Azerbaijan. It also seeks to engage Armenians of Karabakh in normal life within the Azerbaijani territorial integrity.
“Legality has to be established. Normality has to be brought back and only after that can we decide on a status with the participation of both communities of Nagorno-Karabakh: the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities,” said Azimov.
“It probably sounds familiar if I say ‘bi-communal model’ – two communities voting on the issues of common life within the principles of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Would Armenia benefit from that? Of course, yes,” he added.
“Turkey has no role in the Karabakh resolution process,” said Tigran Balayan, a spokesman for the Armenia’s Foreign Ministry in response to Azimov’s statements.
“The scenario presented by Mr. Azimov is fantasy. It has been stated on numerous occasions that Turkey has no business in the conflict resolution process and it should refrain from interfering if it does not want to hinder the process,” added Balayan.
Stage by stage deal as the Azeris and Turks want is like committing suicide for the Karabaghi people.
There can only be all in one deal where everything is defined in no uncertain terms as there is no room for any deal which does not give the final statues for Karabagh without waiting for 5 or 10 or any years.
Normality?
Will Armenians “enjoy” the same “normality’ as they did in Nakhichevan?
Who will shoulder the task of destroying Armenian crosses, churches in Nagorno Gharabagh for the sake of that “Normality”?
Thank you mr. Araz, but don’t trouble yourself. Let’s do without that normality!
Gradual withdrawal of Armenian troops will tear down our great defensive line. Turks are nothing but joke.
I get the impression Azimov thinks that the word “Idiots” is written on our foreheads.Can I remind this muppet that Azeris lost the war and are not in a position to dictate.I would like him to get used to this fact and digest it and if he has a problem antacid tablets is the answer.
Artsakh was and always will be Armenian.
WHO IS MAKING THE GUARANTEEE, THAT AFTER THE PROMISES TURKEY AND AZERI’S
WILL RESPECT THE AGREEMENTS…….UNTIED SATES???? RUSSIA??? OHHHHHHHH ERDOGAN THE TURK GUARANTEES IT AS SOMEONE I KNOW SAYS IT IC
There is nothing to negotiate on Karabagh, other than the return of the Getashen region. Karabagh is an independent nation. The Azeris better recognize this fact and stop deluding themselves about ” negotiations for a return to Soviet era borders”.
May I ask a simple question? What interest has turkey in azerbaijian.Why is anyone giving credence to that assumption.Its a problem between Armenia and azerbaijian.turkey should concentrate on their own problems i.e.70% illiteratcy rate,modernize their process in human behavior toward their minorities,try to get along with others,forget the bully routine,it dont work anymore.Their non de plume from WW1 old YELLOW STAIN. This is a historical fact just read your history
the status quo is better than land for peace (security zone).