ArmInfo. The meeting between Armenia's Premier Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Moscow, with Russian President Vladimir Putin's participation, demonstrated lack of confidence between the parties, politico-military expert Armine Margaryan said.
Much work has been done, but no atmosphere of confidence has been formed. Specifically, the parties cannot agree on "redlines", with hardly any progress expected in the foreseeable future. The Moscow meeting demonstrated this platform for the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders' meetings has exhausted its potential. "It does not mean this platform should be rejected, but it being ineffective should be admitted," Ms Margaryan said.
Evidence thereof is the debate between the Armenian premier and the Azerbaijani president at the summit meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, with the Russian president's participation. During the debate, the Azerbaijani resident was putting forward arguments actually invalidating the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020. In his turn, Armenia's premier pointed out the Azerbaijani leader's statements were in conflict with the trilateral statement, with the debate taking place in the Russian president's presence. Given this fact, Ms Margaryan points out that even the issue of unblocking transport links should be discussed at different venues.
In this context, the expert singled out President Aliyev's statement on the Zangezur corridor, whose creation Russia is supporting, caused Nikol Pashinyan's negative reaction. And in claiming no term-related problems involving corridors, Aliyev used the word "road" while speaking of the Lachin corridor.
"For the petty dictator it was a chance to show his 'power' on the Eurasian platform - even in this format he can say what the Armenian side dislikes. In contrast to the Eurasian platform, on the Western platform he does not dare take such liberties," the expert said.
Ms Margaryan highlights the importance of recording the fact that all that President Aliyev was saying was in line with Russia's position.
"It is most important that the talk should have taken place on the Eurasian platform, which will prevent any speculations in Armenia on the authorities allegedly saying some things inside the country and other things at the negotiations," the expert stressed.