Commenting on the downing of the Armenian military helicopter by the Azerbaijani soldiers, Bryza said the helicopter’s flight over that territory is wrong: “It is a provocation. I don’ know what happened there before this incident. I can’t say exactly what happened in the Armenian and Azerbaijani side, but I know that flights over tension zone are unacceptable. Azerbaijani soldiers would be better not to shoot down the helicopter, but this is a war zone. Such provocations are not allowed. It is not right to hold a military exercise there in such an intense time. After what happened in Ukraine, many people may think that it is supported by Russia and Moscow wants to destabilize the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan”.
Bryza stressed that Armenia’s violating the ceasefire after the downed helicopter was expected.
“If we lived in peace and brotherhood that is in heaven, of course, Azerbaijan would not have shot down the helicopter. Obviously, Armenia will continue opening fire on Azerbaijani positions. This is a very dangerous situation. And therefore, I say that Azerbaijan would be better not to shoot down the helicopter. Now, the most important task of the Minsk Group is take new measures for confidence between the two countries in order to improve the situation. Exchange of the hostages would be a step in this regard. Finally, it would be better to organize a meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents. Presidents of the US, France and Russia can also be involved in this meeting. However, to be honest, I think Russia is not ready for it”, he said.
Bryza said the French president had arranged the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, noting that it was just one step.
“But the Sochi meeting arranged by Putin was a big show. To make a move in the process, the U.S. president and secretary of state need to work actively with their French counterparts. The Russian counterparts can also join this work. But now, after what Russia did in Ukraine, I don’t think Russia would want stability in Azerbaijani-Armenian relations,” he said.
Bryza said he currently lives in Istanbul and that he is a member of the boards of directors of a number of private companies in Turkey, England, Finland and Azerbaijan. He also said he is the director of the International Institute of Security which operates in Tallin, Estonia’s capital.
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