Yerevan: political analysts argue over reasons for head of Russian MFA's statement on Karabakh settlement

The statement by Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, on a possibility of a step-by-step settlement of the Karabakh conflict by liberating a number of areas around Nagorno-Karabakh has become part of political bargaining, but not a concrete proposal, analysts in Yerevan believe. A phased version does not suit Yerevan, and a discussion of the details of negotiations in the public sphere is an indicator of some trouble in the Armenian-Russian relations, Alexander Iskandaryan, a political analyst, has emphasized.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Mr Lavrov's statement has triggered a negative reaction from the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Armenia will not make unilateral concessions, Zograb Mnatsakanyan, the Minister, has stressed.

Sergey Lavrov's statement is nothing new. Proposals for a step-by-step conflict settlement have been discussed since early 2000s under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group; options for conflict settlement were included into the Madrid Principles, Mr Iskandaryan, Director of the Caucasus Institute, has noted.

He is sure that the deterioration of the Armenian-Russian relations should not be expected, same as any political or economic threats that could affect the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh.

Mr Lavrov's statement has to do with the Russia's desire to preserve carte blanche in the conflict settlement, Stepan Safaryan, a political observer, believes.