Strengthening of authoritarianism in Azerbaijan hinders the conflict settlement - Mediamax.am

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Strengthening of authoritarianism in Azerbaijan hinders the conflict settlement


Steinar Gil
Steinar Gil

Photo: Trend


Yerevan /Mediamax/. Former Norwegian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Steinar Gil thinks that strengthening of authoritarianism in Azerbaijan reduces the chances of the conflict settlement.

“The possibility to reach a settlement is strongly reduced by the political situation in Azerbaijan, and probably also to a certain degree by the political situation in Armenia. In Azerbaijan there has been no political change over the last 20 years. The only development is that the regime has become more and more authoritarian and undemocratic. In this situation new ideas and new approaches towards a settlement of the NK conflict can not be expected. A truly democratic Azerbaijan and a truly democratic Armenia (I think Armenia also has some shortcomings in this respect) would  have a far greater chance to reach a settlement”, said the former diplomat in his interview to Mediamax.

 

Commenting on the bellicose statements of the Azerbaijani leadership, Steinar Gil said:

“From time to time bellicose rhetoric is used by Ilham Aliyev and other Azerbaijani politicians. However, I think they know that war is not a realistic option. In any case, a new war must be avoided”.

 

Steinar Gil was Norway’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan in 2002-2006.

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