Bryza: Separatist regime used Armenians of Karabakh as hostages

The separatist regime used Armenians living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan as political hostages, international expert, board member of the Jamestown Foundation and former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza told Report.

"Ethnic Armenian community of Karabakh had been used like political hostages by the leaders of the Armenian community of Karabakh and by extremist political opposition to Pashinyan who rather have conflict than peace," he said.

"So now, with the separatist regime in Karabakh disbanded, as well as Armenian military forces removed now from Karabakh, I think the last obstacle that was blocking the way for President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan to reach the peace treaty and to negotiate and finalize it is removed," he noted, adding that now there is either no actual threat to the security of Azerbaijan, which was posed by Armenian illegal armed groups.

He said that if everything continues as it is now, real progress will soon be seen towards a peace treaty.