Final Nagorno-Karabakh solution needed

Even though Azerbaijan has come out the better side in its October conflict with hostile neighbour Armenia and reclaimed its disputed land, there is a need to find a permanent solution over the next decade.

This was suggested by speakers during an online, international conference on the “Azerbaijan-Armenia Armed Conflict: Causes and Implications for the Regional Dynamics of South Caucasus”. The conference had been jointly organised by the Centre of Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS) Islamabad, and the ADA University in Baku, Azerbaijan, to analyse the implications on the security and stability of the Caucasus region.

CGSS Advisory Board’s Senior Member Brig (retired) Akhtar Nawaz Janjua stated that many important lessons can be learnt from this brief war. He added that the Azeri forces have shown commendable strength and courage in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The truth has prevailed and Azerbaijan stands victorious, he said.

Fariz Ismailzade, the executive vice-rector of ADA University, stated that since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, things had taken an uncertain turn in the region. While Azerbaijan was supported by many countries in the international community - particularly Pakistan, the Armenians took advantage of a weakening Soviet Union and started to occupy its land.

When Azerbaijan was accepted in the UN, Nagorno-Karabakh was accepted as a part of Azerbaijan and the international community accepted it without any objection, Ismailzade said, but Armenia refused to do so and occupied the Nagorno-Karabakh region which created a refugee crisis.

CGSS Senior Member Advisory Board Maj Gen (retired) Dr Shahid Hashmat noted that the 100-year-old conflict could not be resolved either through UN resolutions or through the Minsk group. However, in late September 27, things came to a head after both countries alleged each other of escalating tensions in the disputed territory.

A war followed and Azerbaijan reoccupied its areas up to Shusha and would have occupied the capital had there been no ceasefire agreement.

He noted that Azerbaijan has strived for long-lasting peace in the region but the problem remains and it will be most suitable if it is solved in the next decade.

Colonel Mehman Novruzov, the defence attache at the Azerbaijan Embassy, said that the government in Armenia had adopted a hard-line military narrative for occupying new territories at the expense of Azerbaijan. In wake of the Armenian military aggression, Col Novruzov said Baku approved a counteroffensive.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2020.