Why and what is Baku discussing with the separatists?

On the first of March, a second meeting with representatives of official Baku and Karabakh separatists was held in the city of Khojaly, with the mediation of Russian officers. The first meeting was held on February 24, when agreements were reached on ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the Armenia-Karabakh gas pipeline, repairing the only high-voltage one between the named parties and restoring electricity supply. 

Deputy of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Ramin Mammadov has been appointed responsible for contacts with Nagorno-Karabakh. The meeting was attended by the head of the group on illegal exploitation of natural resources Masim Mammadov. The group includes experts from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy and “AzerGold” CJSC.

Toivo Klaar, the Special Representative of the European Union for the South Caucasus, and the crisis in Georgia, called the news about the negotiations in Karabakh encouraging.

"Humanitarian and infrastructural issues were discussed, in particular, the restoration of uninterrupted movement of people, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin corridor, the restoration of electricity supply from Armenia to Artsakh, uninterrupted supplies of natural gas, as well as concerns about the operation of the Kashen mine (“Demirli” - Turan). There were no other issues on the agenda. The meeting was obviously constructive, and we hope that the results will not be long in coming," the official in Khankendi reported, reported the Karabakh and Yerevan media.

Azerbaijani state media said that the meeting discussed "the integration of Karabakh into Azerbaijan." And the country's leadership has repeatedly stated Baku's readiness to integrate Karabakh Armenians into Azerbaijani society.

However, the separatist leadership categorically rejected the Azerbaijani interpretation of the meetings: "There can be no talk at the meetings of representatives of Baku and Stepanakert and the reintegration of Artsakh into Azerbaijan," said the head of the illegal "Karabakh Foreign Ministry" Sergey Gazaryan.

The dialogue between Khankendi and Baku is doomed to failure, "since Azerbaijan does not recognize the existence of such a unit as Artsakh," secretary of the opposition parliamentary faction "Armenia" Artsvik Minasyan said.

The opposition in Azerbaijan and Armenia oppose the negotiations. The Musavat party drew attention to the absence of the flag of Azerbaijan on the negotiating table. The leader of the Popular Front recalled the crimes of separatist leaders against the Azerbaijani people in two wars. "Vitaly Balasanyan, who is called the chief negotiator, was directly involved in the murder of Khojaly residents, a criminal case has been opened against him in the Prosecutor's office of Azerbaijan." Ali Kerimli demands to raise the Azerbaijani flag over all the heights in Karabakh and disarm all armed people in this region. Then declare an amnesty to the separatists and after that we can talk about negotiations," A.Kerimli said.

Nevertheless, negotiations are underway, even reports on the success of meetings. But the matter has not moved beyond words, as it is known, the picket of environmental organizations on the Lachin road continues. This indicates the absence of agreements reached. The failure of negotiations is used by the opponent of Araik Harutyunyan, whose term of "presidential" powers ends in 2024.

The ex-head of the separatist army, former "secretary of the Security Council", leader of the United Motherland party Samvel Babayan intends to stand for election next year. He is trying to show himself relatively loyal to Azerbaijan and even offers Baku ownership and investment in the “Demirli” mine in the Agdere region of Karabakh.

Babayan repeats the position of other separatists, reminding Baku that the status issue was resolved in a referendum on secession from the Soviet Union. At the same time, he proposes to create a framework of mutual trust with Azerbaijan, setting a condition for us: "It is necessary not to stand over your head with a machine gun and demand disarmament, but to withdraw troops and cancel the search for a number of persons. After that, only talk about solving some problems."

Neither the present nor the potentially future leadership of the separatists has a leader who agrees to the reintegration of Karabakh as one of the Azerbaijani provinces. Then what is the purpose of the ongoing negotiations in the territory of Khojaly, occupied by the Russian army and renamed "Ivanyan" by the Armenians?

According to historian Rizvan Huseynov from diplomatic sources, contacts will continue, and Barda, Ganja and Aghdam are considered as meeting places. "Accordingly, the participation of RPK representatives in the peace talks is not planned in the future. We are talking about a direct dialogue between Azerbaijan and its citizens, which has nothing to do with the RMK, or any other external actor."

The Milli Majlis deputy Rasim Musabekov said that one should not expect quick results of the reintegration of Karabakh Armenians, but the dialogue has begun, Deputy Ramin Mammadov, born in Agdere and raised in Shusha, is participating on our side, and this is an important fact. As for discussing the status of the territory, Baku will not discuss political issues with the separatists. We can only talk with the Karabakh people about humanitarian, transport, economic, agricultural, environmental issues," Musabekov said. He suggested not to pay attention to unacceptable statements from Armenia and Karabakh Armenians.

And MP Erkin Gadirli rules out discussing the political status of Karabakh with anyone, including Armenia, Russia and Europe. "Those living in Karabakh are our citizens, they must obey the laws of Azerbaijan, and the power structures of our country should be gradually created there. Negotiations are being conducted for this purpose, the process should be open," MP Gadirli added.