Israeli researcher: Karabakh conflict is not frozen, there’s always something happening there

Israeli researcher: Karabakh conflict is not frozen, there’s always something happening there
# 20 October 2016 11:00 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Malahat Najafova – APA. Israel gives much importance to its ties with Azerbaijan. Despite coming under pressure from Ankara in light of the deteriorating Turkey-Israel relations, Israel-Azerbaijan relations remained close, APA cited Gallia Lindenstrauss, a research fellow for the South Caucasus and Turkey at the Israeli-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) as saying.

She noted that this attitude was welcomed by Israel.

“Israel has long been in need of energy, which is a vital factor for the country’s security. Israel buys 40% of its oil from Azerbaijan,” said Lindenstrauss. “Although new gas fields have been discovered at our coastal areas and we are now in relatively less need of energy, the oil factor continues to be a major factor.”

The researcher stressed that although Baku was displeased with the fact that Israel did not issue a clear statement on the April incidents in favor of the country, but Azerbaijan had actually used Israeli-made military equipment in that fighting.

“This indicates that bilateral relations with Israel are much beneficial for Azerbaijan. The use of Israeli-made weapons changed the course of the war,” she said.

Lindenstrauss outlined that Russia is the biggest player in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“I think Russia is disinterested in settling the conflict and is benefiting from this conflict remaining. The Armenian diaspore too is playing a key role,” she said. “But the diaspora should not associate Turkey with the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. Turkey is a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan. However, the conflict has nothing to do with the 1915 events. We need to cut this link.”

“Nakhchivan is yet another factor. The conflict’s settlement can save Nakhchivan from isolation. I don’t think that is something Armenia would like to happen,” added the researcher.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not frozen, there’s always something happening there. Russia plays a big role here, she noted.

According to the Israeli researcher, the normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations are not going to pose any threat to Azerbaijan.

“I believe the re-opening of the border between the two countries would be good for Azerbaijan as well,” she added.

Nagorno Garabagh

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