The United States is the only co-chairing country of the OSCE Minsk Group that prevents Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) from becoming a recognized state, according to Sergey Shakaryants, a political analyst.

At a news conference on Wednesday, the expert said that the country might have most different reasons for that, including the Armenia-Turkey border issue, Turkey’s major role in the region, the Arab revolutions, the Iranian issue etc.

“It is possible to declare everything by word of mouth, but the facts behind the activities testify to completely different objectives,” he said. “The explanation is very simple and primitive; in case Russia, France or EU remain in the Minsk Group alone, they will more easily agree upon different issues relating to Nagorno-Karabakh. As to how they will reach an agreement, it is already possible to guess that.”

Addressing the co-chairs’ recent statement backing the plan to open the Stepanakert Airport, Shakaryants said that the move has political motives.

“I characterize it as a motive even if the use of the air space becomes a subject of negotiations. It can even be considered a good will to the Armenian side. Although Azerbaijan has expressed its negative attitude, they issue will clearly become subject to negotiations, which is very important,” he said.

The expert added that the Armenian diplomats may call for opening Karabakh’s air space and ensuring communication between Artsakh and other countries.