On Friday March 14, the United Nations General Assembly voted on a draft resolution introduced by Azerbaijan in which Azerbaijan attempted to secure international support for its own desired outcome for the Nagorno Karabakh resolution process.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries – US, France and the Russian Federation – voted against the resolution as did Armenia and a few other countries.  Over 150 countries abstained or did not vote. Only 39 countries supported the resolution, out of organizational affinity with either GUAM or the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Although the non-binding resolution passed the General Assembly, the rejection of Azerbaijan’s position by an overwhelming majority is a barometer of the mood of the international community on this issue.

“I hope Azerbaijan got the message from the international community. Taking the lead of the co-chairs, a majority of member states repelled the one-sided approach,” said Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.

Minister Oskanian characterized the resolution as hypocritical. “On the one hand, in an effort to disinform member states, the resolution included a paragraph that supports the OSCE Minsk Process. On the other hand, Azerbaijan blatantly ignored the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs position. The co-chair countries had made clear they would not support the resolution and in fact voted against the resolution.”

 “Now we wonder what Azerbaijan’s next move will be,” he said. “We question whether this resolution was intended to derail the negotiating process or whether they got the clear message and will return to the negotiating table to work on a negotatied, compromise lasting solution.”

At a press conference earlier in the week, Minister Oskanian had stated that President-Elect Serge Sargisian would be prepared to meet with the Azerbaijani President at the earliest possibility, if the co-chairs find this useful and if Azerbaijan accepts. “This opportunity exists,” Oskanian said. “The ball is clearly in Azerbaijan’s court.”

“Rejecting Azerbaijan’s resolution, the international community has indicated its support for the negotiating document on the table today which has successfully managed to reconcile the two seemingly contradictory principles of the Helsinki Final Act -- people’s right to self-determination and territorial integrity,” explained Armenia’s Foreign Minister. “This document presents a unique opportunity for Azerbaijanis and Armenians to move forward. This is precisely what sets the Nagorno Karabakh conflict apart in our region and in Europe and makes it sui generis, not only because of its legal and historical context, but also because of the innovative negotiating approach to finding a realistic, lasting resolution.”

Earlier the same day, had met with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, who had discussed the possibility of the resumption of talks, the UN resolution and the situation on the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact.