Korotchenko: Peace agreement possible only based on 5 fundamental principles

A peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is possible only on the basis of five basic, fundamental principles that were put forward by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Russian military expert, editor-in-chief of the Natsionalnaya Oborona (National Defense) magazine Igor Korotchenko said, the Russian bureau of Report informs.

The expert spoke about the weight of the five political principles put forward by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the future of Armenia.

“We know that Ilham Aliyev is a diplomat by education, therefore, legal formulations in accordance with the norms of international law are his strong professional side. The principles that he formulated are fully supported by Russia, and, most importantly, they fundamentally meet all the criteria of international law. Armenia will have to sign a peace agreement on the terms put forward by Aliyev, there is no other option. A consistent policy of combining diplomatic and forceful measures to make Armenia recognize the existing realities will yield results sooner or later. Armenia will officially recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, sign a peace treaty, make changes in its constitution, where it will renounce territorial claims to Azerbaijani lands and embark on the path of civilized development. If Armenia doesn’t do this, the historical and geopolitical prospects of this country are sad, it may disappear from the political map of the world,” the political scientist concluded.

Korotchenko noted that the OSCE Minsk Group will not be restored, since Russia and Azerbaijan take the same position. He said that this intermediary group was ineffective and for 30 years “was engaged in chatter and diplomatic tourism.”

The Russian expert stressed that the parties would be able to reach a political consensus, despite Yerevan’s desire to bureaucratize, and maybe even postpone the process of a peaceful settlement.

“It is quite obvious that Aliyev’s consistent policy, as well as Azerbaijani diplomacy, based on the agreements that were signed, and which now, through the fault of the Armenian side, are being implemented with difficulty, will allow us to count on ultimate success. There is no alternative to peace, and Armenia’s attempts to delay or disrupt it are doomed to failure,” Korotchenko said.

He also stressed that the process will be difficult, as Azerbaijan appeals to the norms of international law, and the Armenian side is prone to nationalist aspirations.