New Russian initiative 'expected to make its way' to Karabakh conflict zone - Karen Bekaryan

Against the backdrop of the developments in and around Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), a new Russian initiative is very likely to make its way to the conflict zone, political analyst Karen Bekaryan said today in a televised debate with Arman Saghatelyan, a security expert.

"Today, we have a problem in terms of securing a more powerful engagement, which will encompass not only diplomacy tools but also, in a broader sense, all the adjacent components, including power elements, to ensure the necessary control over the situation," he said, stressing the importance of more clarity in the future copperation with Russia.

"The level of the activities with Russia should be high enough to make it plain that we are dealing with anti-terrorist elements here," the analyst added.

As for the collaboration with Washington, Bekaryan called for a proper consideration of the "existing realities", particularly the dominating pre-electoral sentiments, where he said the Armenian community could exercise a tangible influence. 

The analyst said he doesn't feel that the United States is willing to have any responsibility in the region, its actions becoming more formal in character in the absence of a real engagement.

Also  European partners seem to be delaying their response, making all the future actions lose their sense and value. "France has extremely high chances to transform realities by recognizing Artsakh and thereby making the issue part and parcel of the European agenda," Bekaryan said, calling for the Armenian diplomacy's more proactive efforts in that direction.

As for the neighboring states, Bekaryan called for a constructive engagement by Iran  - in terms of drawing red lines for other countries' actions - as well as revised approaches by Georgia to avoid approximating positions with "Armenia's enemy". "Is Georgia going to take a neutral stand now that Azerbaijan has decided to annihilate the population and destroy the cities and towns of Artsakh?" he asked.

"Unlike Azerbaijan, which has multiple communication channels allowing its logistics to function in many ways, Armenia's communication opportunities are limited to two  pathways. Given that our strategic partner and ally is in the north, our northern pathway, i.e. - the border with Georgia, gains an increasing importance. This has to be a very clear message to Georgia," he added.                               

Bekaryan was also concerned to note that Turkey and Azerbaijan "continue testing the patience" of regional role-players, power centers and international organizations, "obscenely broadening the red lines" and threatening painful consequences to not only Armenia but also the entire region.