“Certainly a historic day” – Kommersant FM

The unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh officially ceases to exist. The corresponding decree was signed by NKR President Samvel Shahramanyan. The process of transfer of power to the Azerbaijani administration should be completed in January 2024. Meanwhile, the Armenian population continues to leave their homes. Baku says there is no danger to local residents. Meanwhile, it was announced that an American observation mission would begin work in the South Caucasus. Kommersant FM political commentator Dmitry Drize believes that Russia risks losing its position in the region.

The President of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree dissolving all state institutions and organizations of Nagorno-Karabakh (Armenian name Artsakh) until January 1, 2024. Thus, by this date the unrecognized republic ceases to exist.

The population, including those outside the region, are ordered to familiarize themselves with the conditions for the reintegration of the territory into Azerbaijan, in order to then independently decide whether to stay or leave their places of residence. Certainly a historic day.

The NKR was proclaimed on September 2, 1991, and existed for 32 years. The oldest and longest conflict in the post-Soviet space has ended. Be that as it may, this is how things officially stand. This also relates to the question of the fate of frozen conflicts – everything, as you can see, sooner or later comes to its logical end.

Actually, the Armenian population seems to have made its choice, at least it seems so today. People are leaving en masse, columns are heading towards Armenia. The world media are actively covering these events. That being said, no comment.

Azerbaijan asks not to do this, but does not interfere, and complies with the agreements. In Moscow they also don’t understand why people are leaving. But that’s what happens. Considering that Armenia is not the largest state, there is a certain threat of a humanitarian catastrophe. So the international community should probably act more actively.

Ilham Aliyev, meanwhile, met in Baku with representatives of the State Department and the administration of American President Joe Biden, including the head of USAID (US Agency for International Development) Samantha Power. It is clear that for the President of Azerbaijan it is a matter of principle to show the world community how prettier the former Nagorno-Karabakh has become, or rather, will become prettier after the return of legitimate power. He is ready to organize a corresponding mission of the UN and other organizations and deploy observers. It was decided that the United States will deploy a response team in the South Caucasus to assess the situation and coordinate American humanitarian assistance.

What about Russia? Dmitry Peskov said that it is not possible to name those responsible for the fact that the Karabakh Armenians left their homes, because there is no direct reason for such actions. However, Armenia remains our ally, and Azerbaijan remains an important partner.

Although Yerevan has seriously decided to ratify the Rome Statute, the Kremlin hopes that this will not worsen relations between the two countries. But in the Russian Federation lately they have been very dissatisfied with the Armenian leadership – they are going and looking in the wrong direction. Therefore, regarding the deterioration of relations, this is a very controversial issue. It seems that this is exactly what is happening now. In Yerevan they openly blame the Kremlin for not protecting them.

By the way, if there is no longer a conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, it means that a mediator is no longer particularly needed. As we see, there are not Russian, but American representatives in Baku. It seems that the region will become prettier even without Moscow’s participation. However, this is a matter of perspective.

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