Signing joint document by Armenia and Azerbaijan is positive, experts say

The main positive result of the Moscow meeting of Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia is the fact of signing, for the first time after ceasefire in 1994, of a written document by the leaders of the two countries.

This opinion was expressed by Eldar Namazov, head of the Public Forum "In the Name of Azerbaijan", in his comment to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent of the Moscow declaration signed on November 2 by Presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russian Federation - Ilham Aliev, Serzh Sarkisyan and Dmitri Medvedev.

In Mr Namazov's opinion, the Moscow declaration "has a certain psychological value." At the same time, he has ascertained absence in the document of any arrangements, which could be regarded "as a breakthrough, or, at least, a serious step forward" towards settlement of the problem.

"As a matter of fact, the document signed in Moscow has nothing new, and the intentions stated in it are purely declarative," said in his turn Arastun Ordzhlu, head of the Research Centre "East-West".

The well-known Azerbaijani expert Rasim Musabekov also thinks that the document signed in Moscow "as a matter of fact, has no value."

However, it emphasizes the need to solve the problem through dialogue. But it implies no obligations to refrain from using force. Besides, as Mr Musabekov has noted, the declaration bypasses the points reflecting the parties' positions of principle, namely, territorial integrity and right of nations to self-determination. The document lacks any words on bringing positions closer on the remaining disputable issues.

Isa Gambar, leader of the "Musavat" Party, has expressed his opinion that the "interception" by Russia of the initiative in Karabakh settlement is not in the interests of Azerbaijan. As to the declaration, Mr Gambar named it "a short and indefinite document."

At the same time, he saw "elements of pressure on Azerbaijan" in the document, pointing to Madrid proposals, which contain "a threat of holding referendum on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh."

On November 2 in Moscow, Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia - Dmitri Medvedev, Ilham Aliev and Serzh Sarkisyan - signed a declaration on peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, which assumes legally binding international guarantees for settling the Karabakh conflict.