Idea of opening consulates in Yerevan and Baku causes political analysts' scepticism

The issue of mutual border crossing by citizens of Armenia and Azerbaijan can be resolved only after the definition of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, political analysts have commented on the initiative of Georgy Vanyan, a human rights defender. So far, only the opening of transport communications for cargo transportation is possible, Mekhman Aliev, Director of the "Turan" News Agency, has noted.

On January 25, Georgy Vanyan, an Armenian human rights defender, called on the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan on his Facebook "to ensure the freedom of movement of citizens of Armenia and Azerbaijan as soon as possible by opening consular services in Baku and Yerevan."

Georgy Vanyan "is hurrying things up," said the author of the "Wind from Apsheron" blog that he runs on the "Caucasian Knot".

"The issue of de-occupation of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and of its status, the problem of refugees, and the reluctance to return Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) make such initiatives senseless. Besides, Azerbaijan and Turkey are blackmailing and threatening with a new war," Akop Badalyan, a political observer of the "Lragir.am" newspaper, has stated.

Armen Vardanyan, a political analyst and the editor-in-chief of the "Orakarg.am", also believes that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh should be settled first, since "there is no mutual trust between the Armenian and Azerbaijani societies." In his opinion, it will be difficult to ensure the safety of those who dare to cross the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

According to Zardusht Alizade, a member of the public "Karabakh Council", free movement two countries' citizens will become possible only when Armenia recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.