Neither Brussels nor Washington venue for settling issue of Artsakh  Armenians` security - experts 

ArmInfo.A long-expected event is unfolding in the South Caucasus now. The Russian-Turkish alliance of convenience seems to be producing results. Evidence  thereof is that Turkey has for the first time accused its ally, the  USA, of being behind the terrorist act in Istanbul, political  scientist Grigor Balasanyan stated at stated at the panel discussion  entitled "Current processes in South Caucasus: Russia's role in  ensuring regional security." 

Nothing similar has ever happened before, he said. "Of course,  Russia's attempts to turn Turkey into a 'gas or grain hub' will one  day produce results. Erdogan is already accusing the USA of training  terrorists in Syria and using them in his country, which is  surprising as Turkey itself used terrorists against us just two years  ago," Mr Balasanyan. 

As regards Azerbaijan, "it is not as easy as it seems."

"Azerbaijan is in conflict with itself: on the one hand, it is  stating Russian peacekeepers must leave Artsakh; on the other hand,  in broad daylight, it fires at these peacekeepers thereby confirming  the need for their presence. We must realize that the issue of the  Artsakh Armenians' security will not be settled in Brussels or  Washington - they will sign the so-called agreement only to forget  about it the following day.  The capitals will be the venue for  finding ways of supplying energy resources to Europe that would serve  as alternatives to Ukraine, which requires the so-called Zangezur  corridor," the expert said. 

Iran could ensure regional security. Iran has warm relations with  Russia in all areas, and acting against Russia would be tantamount to  acting against Iran. "Offering condolences to Armenians is one thing,  but taking actual steps to ensure the Armenians' security is another  thing. And whatever attempts to ignore Russia's policy and efforts  could be made, the reality can hardly be ignored," Mr Balasanyan  said. 

Political scientist Gagik Keryan stressed that the Caucasus is an  arena of clashing interests of the global centers of power. According  to him, the centers, which had for the past three decades remained  inert, have now intensified their activities over the  Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process, which is makes one think of the  reasons for this activity. 

"A settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would enable the  centers of power to find means of influencing not only Armenia and  Azerbaijan, but also - in the future - Iran. One of the main goals is  depleting Russia's resources and surrounding it with active hotbeds,"  the expert said. In this context, Mr Keryan is sure that a settled  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not in the West's interests.  

On the other hand, Russia is concerned with stability in the  Transcaucasia, as it can release it resources.  "Russia has great  energy and economic plans, but stability is the key condition," the  expert said.  Azerbaijan and Turkey are hostile states for Armenia,  with their anti-Armenian stance and plans, including their policy  ethnic cleansing toward Armenians. 

"But at the same time we need an alliance with a nation capable of  exerting greatest influence on the two centers. And it is certainly  Russia. 

"And we should not forget that, with Armenia's not playing any role  in ensuring Artsakh's security, Russian peacekeepers are guaranteeing  the Artsakh Armenians' physical existence and inviolability of the  Armenian-Turkish border. If we do not purpose a pro-Russian policy,  we will soon find ourselves in an 'Alexandropol-2' situation," Mr  Keryan said.