Political analyst: There are prerequisites for overcoming stagnation in Karabakh conflict next year

Baku. 21 December. REPORT.AZ/ The real chances to unblock the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were missed in 2018, political analyst Tofig Abbasov said.

Report informs that he was commenting on the results of the year and prospects for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict next year.

"The results of the year in the context of the Karabakh settlement can be considered disappointing, because the  real chances to unblock the situation have been missed," Abbasov said.

According to him, the missed opportunities are related to both the unstable situation in Armenia, where the "velvet revolution" occurred, and with the fact that new people came to power in this country, who do not know how and what to offer to resolve the conflict.

"Nikol Pashinyan did not have enough experience and wisdom to appreciate the initiative of Baku in connection with the exchange of prisoners on the principle of "all for all". If he supported it, it could bring political dividends to him, and also play the role of the first successful step of the parties towards reconciliation... This did not happen, and now all expectations are associated with the new year," the political scientist believes.

Abbasov expressed the opinion that there are certain prerequisites for overcoming the stagnation next year.

"Azerbaijan has made it clear to Yerevan that it will not take any offensive in the Karabakh direction until the new authorities determine their position. The recognition of the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, that there was an opportunity for mutual understanding in the near future, speaks of the intention of the parties to no longer tempt fate. Therefore, we can expect a breakthrough in the coming future," the expert added.