El Mundo: Turkey attaches much significance to Nagorno Karabakh's future

The future of Nagorno Karabakh is of much significance for Turkey, and hence - for the European Union, Spanish El Mundo reports. According to the newspaper analyst, EU is competing with Russia for gaining access to the gas and oil reserves of the Caspian Basin, while Azerbaijan is searching for means to resolve Karabakh conflict, its principal political problem. “Azerbaijan’s rapprochement with Russia is conditioned by the lack of Turkey, EU and United States’ support to Karabakh process,” the newspaper quotes Turkish expert Guner Ozkan as saying.

The author of the publication also refers to the statement of RA President’s Spokesman who announced that nothing prevents Armenia from recognizing Nagorno Karabakh’s independence in case of Azerbaijan’s refraining from military operations. “The statement was made after Armenian and Azeri Presidents’ recent meeting last week-end. Before the meeting, Aliyev announced that “in case hopes for negotiations vanish”, Azerbaijan will consider itself entitled to resort to military operations to liberate the country. Two years ago, OSCE confirmed the so-called Madrid Principles which offer Armenia to withdraw its forces from the frontier regions of Karabakh in return for the recognition of the enclave. However, the document has not been recognized by either Baku or Yerevan, Both parties differ in their views on refugees' return and the sovereignty of Lachin corridor,” the Spanish newspaper reports.