The reason for Armenia's recent provocations on the border with Azerbaijan is to prevent the opening of the Zangezur corridor. Russia can be directly behind this issue. The statement came from Turkish political analyst Engin Ozer, who commented on the July 28 provocation of the Armenian military forces against the Azerbaijani military positions in the direction of Kalbajar on the border with Armenia.
As we know, in the morning of July 28, the positions of Azerbaijani army located in the direction of Kalbajar were subjected to fire by the Armenian military forces from the Bazarkechar (Vardenis) region of Armenia. As a result of the Azerbaijani army's responsive measures, the enemy forces have retreated with heavy losses.
Despite the initiative of Russia, a ceasefire has been restored on the border, Armenia continues to commit provocations.
According to Engin Ozer, the Armenian leadership is trying to impede the idea of the Zangezur Corridor by aggravating the situation on the border with Azerbaijan.
"There may be two reasons behind Armenia's intensive military provocations against Azerbaijani military positions on the border. First, Armenia is trying to prevent the opening of the Zangazur Corridor with such provocations. As for the second reason, Yerevan aims to deploy Russian peacekeeping forces on the border with Azerbaijan," Ozer said.
"A number of forces support Armenia's military provocations on the border in order to bring the opening of the Zangezur corridor into failure. Russia plays a key role in this issue. The Kremlin has chosen the opposition approach to the project of Zangezur corridor and is trying to prevent it from happening. Moscow is well aware that the opening of the corridor between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan will lead to Turkey's access to the Caspian Sea and Central Asia. It is not in Russia's interests to see the strengthening of Turkey's political and economic power in the South Caucasus and Central Asia .Therefore, Russia does not put serious pressure on Armenia on the issue of the Zangezur corridor, "he added.
Engin Ozer said that Azerbaijan, as in any country, has the right to respond seriously to the provocative attacks of Armenia.
"Azerbaijan has the right to protect its borders. Armenia's provocations must be met with a serious response. With such attacks, Armenia wants to involve the CSTO in this issue, but Azerbaijan does not intend to enter the territory of Armenia," the expert said.
Turkish political analyst touched upon another important issue in his statement. He believes that the Kanal Istanbul project proposed by the Erdogan government is a matter of concern in Russia.
"The Russian leadership is reacting seriously to the Canal Istanbul project launched by Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the project would not be included in the Montreux agreement. In this case, NATO naval forces will, of course by Anakara's decision, be able to freely enter and sail into the Black Sea. This is making Russian being concerned. Therefore, Moscow is trying to put pressure on Turkey through Syria or Azerbaijan. Provocations on the border with Armenia can be included in this issue," Ozer said.
In the end, the political analyst also commented on the speculations about France's entry into the region.
"Armenia is a member of the CSTO. According to the organization's charter, a third country cannot establish a military base in the CSTO member states. In the case of the existence of Russian base in Armenia, it is impossible for French peacekeepers to enter the country. On the contrary, it is planned to deploy only Russian peacekeeping forces in the border areas of Armenia with Azerbaijan," the expert added.
by Yunis Abdullayev
