ArmInfo. In an interview with ArmInfo, Sergei Markedonov Leading Researcher at the MGIMO Institute for International Studies, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of International Analytics, voiced the opinion that the argument that Moscow is losing interest in the southern part of the post-Soviet space amid the Ukraine developments is rather superficial.
"In fact, the South Caucasus remains most important for Russia in the context of its interests, which, I think, requires major initiatives on Karabakh on Moscow's part," he said.
"On May 22, we saw Brussels once again to be a venue for discussions of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. I would like to note the fast pace of the negotiations in Brussels - it was the third meeting over the last six months. And all the three rounds ended in specific agreements. The day before yesterday, Charles Michel stated that at their first joint meeting the Border Commissions would consider all the issues of delimitation and establishment of border stability. And considering the opportunities for the region's socio- economic development, restoring the communication infrastructure and preparing a peace agreement is evidence of the EU's holistic approach to the problems," Mr Markedonov said.
At their meeting in Brussels, Armenia's Premier Nikol Pashinyan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the European Union Charles Michel agreed on the need to proceed with unblocking the transport links, on the first joint meeting of the Border Commissions on the inter-state border in the coming days and on the next meeting in the same format by July/August.
Mr Markedonov explains Charles Michel's vigorous activity by the EU's attempt to "reserve the role" of principal mediator in the peace process, relegating Moscow to the background, though, he believes, it was Moscow that laid the foundations for negotiations on border demarcation and a peace agreement. And the absence of positive assessments of Moscow's role in the statements of the president of the European Council is a manifestation of Russia's rivalry with the USA and EU over Karabakh.
"In this context, a feeling of Moscow 'yielding the palm to' Brussels in that part of Eurasia gives rise to questions. Perhaps, hopes are being entertained that the disagreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan will not allow the EU to accomplish its task by having a final peace agreement signed. And such hopes could well be justifiable. However, I think Moscow needs to take care of its own role and, therefore, of its interests in the processes involving Armenia and Azerbaijan. And it should do so in time," Mr Markedonov said.