Political analysts argue about mediator's role in Armenian-Azerbaijani border demarcation

During the border demarcation, Armenia and Azerbaijan will pursue their own goals; and the participation of a third party can lead to a "two versus one" format, some political analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe. However, their opponents think that in the course of demarcation, Russia's mediation is a must, since the ceasefire regime testifies to the efficiency of such mediation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 14, Armenia asked its allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for military help, accusing the Azerbaijani militaries of invading the country. Azerbaijan is clarifying the border; there is no conflict, President Ilham Aliev stated, in his turn. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said it would provide assistance in resolving the tensions, if both parties asked for it.

The results of Russia's mediation in border demarcation depend on Azerbaijan's goals, said Vladimir Evseev, the head of the division for Eurasian integration and development of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) at the Institute of CIS Countries. "If Azerbaijan wants to continue annexing Armenia's territory, mediation is not needed. But if it is going to continue pressure on Armenia, for example, in order to achieve the withdrawal of its troops from Karabakh, it can hope to achieve this with the help of Russia," Mr Evseev has explained.

Russia's mediation in resolving the situation is unlikely to bring fruits, said Zardusht Alizade, an Azerbaijani political analyst. "This issue concerns only two countries, and any mediator will think not about their but about its own interests," the expert has stated.

In his turn, Mekhman Aliev, Director of the "Turan" News Agency, believes that "Russia is now a real Armenia-Azerbaijan mediator and a moderator on issues of a peaceful settlement."