Karabakh conflict after Kosovo: no way out?

Abstract

A series of events in 2008 influenced the Karabakh conflict resolution efforts: the Kosovo declaration of independence, the August war, and Russian recognition of independent Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Two new diplomatic initiatives to resolve the Karabakh conflict were launched immediately after the August war, one by Russia and the second by Turkey. This article discusses why the two initiatives failed, and the structural problems of Karabakh conflict resolution efforts.

Keywords:

• Caucasus
• conflict
• diplomacy
• nationalism

Notes

De facto because neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan declared war. Yerevan considers the conflict to be between the Azerbaijani authorities and the Karabakh Armenian authorities. Azerbaijan considers the conflict a result of Yerevan's meddling in its internal affairs.

The five regions are Aghdam, Fizuli, Jibrail, Kubatli, and Zankelan.

Armenia also has a border crossing with its southern neighbor, Iran, but this road crosses a mountainous region and is far away from major communication hubs such as railway networks or seaports.

On the development of the initiative, see Kanbolat.

The first document is titled: “Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey”, and the second document is titled “Protocol on Development of Relations Between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey”. The protocols are no longer available online. Author's archive.

Author interview with Arman Giragosyan, deputy foreign minister of Armenia, Yerevan, 7 October 2009.

Author interview with Tatul Hakobyan, Yerevan, 26 October 2011.

The same message was present in the speech of President Aliev on the 93rd anniversary of the armed forces (President of Azerbaijan).

Figures quoted in Abbasov (“Karabakh 2014” 14).