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Russian political analyst: If Moscow, Washington and Brussels demonstrate unique position, Armenia will make concessions â€“ EXCLUSIVE

Russian political analyst: If Moscow, Washington and Brussels demonstrate unique position, Armenia will make concessions â€“ <font color=red>EXCLUSIVE </font>

09 December 2009 09:19 (UTC +04:00)

-How do you assess the negotiations between the Turkish Prime Minister and U.S. President in the context of the solution of the problems in the South Caucasus?

-To say concretely, it was important for Washington to create balance after the pendulum swung towards Yerevan, the US played serious role in Armenia-Turkey rapprochement and the protocols were signed (then comes the stage of their ratification and opening of borders). Erdoganâ€™s visit to this country and his meeting with the U.S. administration were used for this purpose. Now I think steps will be taken towards Baku in order to achieve balance of forces in the South Caucasus. Time will show how successful the policy of Washington is, but basing on Erdoganâ€™s statements we can say that Ankara is resolute enough and Erdogan intends to fulfill the promises made to Azerbaijan.

-Erdogan voiced natural enough stipulations for the opening of Turkey-Armenia borders and asked the countries carrying out the process of the settlement of Karabakh conflict to influence Armenia for the release of the occupied Azerbaijani territories and as a result of it normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations. Do you think we can expect improvement in the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict under these circumstances? Will the US, Russia and France choose the way of pressure on Armenia?

-Until recent months most experts had not expected that the approximation of the positions on Nagorno Karabakh conflict would go on this tempo. I mean those who carry out the process of solution, not Armenia and Armenia. I would not like to be too optimistic, but I hope progress will be made on this issue with joint efforts within a month and a half or two months. The first step of the solution to the conflict should be the return of the occupied regions. If Moscow, Washington and Brussels demonstrate unique position, Armenia will make concessions.

-How possible is the unique position of the three co-chairing countries?

-I think there is no ground for divergence that will make the unique position impossible. There will be the situation like the atmosphere when Armenia-Turkey protocols were signed. I consider that there is a ground to demonstrate this will in the solution to Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.