CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VIII (2) ContEurVIII2 | Page 60

ANNA KARAPETYAN
and not let the Armenian sides strengthen their positions. Over time,
neutralizing the current threat and taking advantage of the unclear
position of the Armenian authorities and some statements, the
Azerbaijani side returned to its usual aggressive rhetoric and policy after
reaching more favorable positions in the negotiation process. For
example, Azerbaijan has made the presence of the so-called "head of the
Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh" to the negotiation process
more institutional. Baku is trying to show that Azerbaijan was ready for
progress, but the Armenian sides did not take real steps, etc.
In the case of Armenia, using the positive image of the country
after the revolution and the chance to act as new negotiators with fresh
approaches, additional opportunities could be created to increase
international pressure on Azerbaijan, to strengthen its positions and, at
the same time, to “get rid of” the unwanted points on the negotiation
table. The new Armenian authorities partially went with that path, or at
least made such an attempt, by voicing their demand for the immediate
return of Artsakh to the negotiating table.
At present, the efforts for the international recognition of Artsakh
are also not visible. Moreover, Armenia, while declaring that it does not
represent the people of Artsakh, continues to negotiate on behalf of
Artsakh, also reaching an agreement on the maintenance of the ceasefire
and the settlement of humanitarian issues.
Developments in Northern Ireland and Brexit have shown that
solutions to conflicts that do not provide a final settlement become the
basis for instability in the region when the situation changes. It is
desirable to build the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process on
the basis of a package that will ensure a final and complete settlement,
make Artsakh a self-sufficient entity, furthering possible domestic
political and foreign policy changes in Armenia and Artsakh, so that
Azerbaijan will not create instability in the region again.
Kosovo's rhetoric on joining Albania, as noted, provides an
opportunity to voice the international community's unequivocal approach
to Artsakh and Kosovo and to voice the need to recognize Artsakh's
independence.
International political developments and general tendencies show
that the struggle for self-determination has been and continues to be an
integral part of international relations and regularly plays a decisive role
in geopolitical developments. Even at first glance, the Brexit process,
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