CONTEMPORARY EURASIA IX ( 2 )
representatives of the NK one day would not be a full negotiating party , which would have been the next success for them towards resolving the conflict .
The results of the first stage of Heydar Aliyev ’ s conflict management efforts had their substantial investment in the natural resources of Azerbaijan when the interest of companies increased . Thus , in order to keep long-term interest in Azerbaijan and its natural resources , Aliyev needed stability in the region in order to invite international partners for investments . Besides , the international partners would also be interested in Azerbaijan ’ s stronger position in the international arena , which would have made Azerbaijan stronger in the negotiations as well . This became a milestone of the first stage of his conflict management efforts , ending up in a newly suggested model , which was simply about “ territories for the regional integration .” Aliyev has put forward this formula , arguing the Armenians are also welcome to participate in these projects more than once . In one of his interviews , Aliyev claimed that : “ Undoubtedly , we cannot present it to Armenia as a gift . A country through which territory the big pipeline will cross will always benefit . Thus , to benefit , Armenia must do something ” referring to the question on one of the pipelines passing through Armenia if it agrees to free the territory of the NK and restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan . 61
This step can be identified as one of Heydar Aliyev ’ s policies towards the peace process . In the 1990s , Heydar Aliyev was the only leader of Azerbaijan who never excluded possible future cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan . He mentioned that close cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan is possible if the conflict settles . 62 The step-by-step solution of the conflict to which the Azerbaijani side gave its consent was introduced in this period . However , the events on the ground in Armenia did not make the fulfillment of this solution possible . Hence , one may conclude that the goals of the first stage of managing the conflict turned out to be mostly achieved by consolidating power , strengthening Azerbaijan ’ s position , and making sure of the international community ’ s acceptance of the territorial integrity of the country .
From 1998-2001 , the second phase of Heydar Aliyev ’ s conflict management process began . At this period , various meetings were held
61 Heydar Aliyev , Interview to the Turkish NTV Television , May 6 , 1997 , https :// lib . aliyev-heritage . org / en / 9256490 . html . 62 Heydar Aliyev , Briefing Prior to Working Visit to the Western European Countries ,
April 22 , 1996 , https :// lib . aliyev-heritage . org / en / 2118105 . html . 67