Both the East and the West speak of Armenia as an important factor of regional peace, political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan told a press conference today. According to him, Armenia is seen as a country aspiring for peace and trying to establish peace in the South Caucasus.
He said the function Armenia had long been implementing alone by curbing the Azerbaijani aggression and preventing the growth of a larger conflict in the region is getting a political recognition now.
“It’s hard to say whether this is a result of good work and propaganda on the part of Armenia or because the role of Armenia has growth too obvious,” the political scientist said.
Assessing the situation in the region, Melik-Shahnazaryan said “today Azerbaijan has more reasons to start war, but lacks the capacity, as there is political pressure, which Aliyev has already confessed about.” Naturally, he said, Baku will try to create a new political situation, where a bigger role will be reserved for Turkey.
Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan noted that “Turkey has long aspired to be a more active role-player in the South Caucasus, while the Karabakh issue is the closest door.” Therefore, he said, Turkey will be doing its best to assume a more active role even at the cost of concessions on issues of the Middle East.
“The risk is always there. We have to be on alert not to allow any agreements contradicting our interests,” the political scientist said.
He believes Armenia has the capacity of demanding from Russia to refrain from certain things “because our role in the region, our strategic partnership with Russia is equally important to us and Russia.”
Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan considers Russia will do its best not to allow Turkey play a greater role in the South Caucasus.
