Azerbaijan, Baku, July 1 / Trend E. Tariverdiyeva /
The interest of international players in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may be stipulated by energy issues, Associate Professor of the History Faculty, Head of the Caucasian Center at the Russian State Humanities University, Trend Expert Council member Ismail Agakishiyev said.
"The interest of international players in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may be stipulated by energy issues," Agakishiyev said at a press-conference in Baku. "The economic projects with Russia, which strengthen partnership between the two countries, can also play an important role."
Agakishiyev said that Russia has recently participated in the Nagorno-Karabakh process more actively. But new intermediaries are required to move forward. "If the U.S. today takes the same active position as it did in the 1990s by signing the "contract of century", it may be helpful in the negotiation process," Agakishiyev said.
The conflict may only be solved peacefully, he said. He added that Azerbaijan has a more flexible position in the negotiations.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.
The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.