The decision regarding the consent to use the contingent of Russian armed forces abroad won’t affect the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, Deputy Director of Institute of the CIS countries Vladimir Zharikhin told Trend Sept.30.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council’s four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Zharikhin said that this decision is linked only to the situation in Syria and in no way will affect the South Caucasus.
Russian President Vladimir Putin requested the Federation Council to authorize sending Russian troops abroad, RIA Novosti news agency reported with reference to the press service of the Kremlin.
The Federation Council of Russia has approved using the country’s armed forces abroad, the agency said.
“There will be no consequences of this decision for the Caucasus region,” Zharikhin said.
The anti-government rallies began in Syria in March 2011. Later the protests in Syria escalated into a civil war. The country’s territory became vulnerable to various terrorist groups. The Islamic State terrorist organization penetrated the territory of Syria in 2013.
Trend