Alexander Iskandaryan: Aliyev`s decision to hold early elections is connected with an increase in the price of oil on the international market

ArmInfo. Aliyev's decision to hold early elections in Azerbaijan is not accidental, it is caused by a number of factors, the most important of which is an increase in the price of oil on the international market.

This February 13 at a press conference said the director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan. The political scientist noted that another important factor was the fact that Azerbaijan has been ruled by the same clan for a quarter of a century. "Since all power is concentrated in the same hands, the leadership of the Republic of Azerbaijan can fully adjust the situation" for itself "and hold elections when it is profitable. Now, in connection with the increase in the price of oil, and as a consequence, the stabilization of the economic situation in the country, favorable, "- said Iskandaryan.

And the last decisive factor, according to the political scientist, is that with such a sudden decision, Aliyev caught the opposition representatives unawares, not allowing them to properly prepare for the upcoming elections. Referring to Aliyev's statement "on the return of Yerevan," the political scientist noted that it was done solely to raise the rating in the presidential election. Speaking about the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region, the expert noted that it was aimed at preventing further escalation in the conflict zone. "After the April war, the tension on the line contact has decreased, and now the situation resembles the one that was in 2012-2013. In addition, the co- chairs are now working to improve monitoring mechanisms on the contact line, " - said Iskandaryan. As for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the expert said that he does not see any prospects in this direction in the near future.

"None of the sides is working towards the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, at the moment the positions of the sides are fundamentally different, and under these conditions there is no sense in negotiating and there is no way to reach a compromise," Iskandaryan concluded.