Nagorno-Karabakh and Kosovo Conflicts: Similarities in International Law and Differences in Realpolitik

There are a number of reasons why the international community perceives Nagorno-Karabakh and Kosovo conflicts differently. From international legal perspective both cases refer to de facto states seeking or having sought international recognition. The analysis of de facto states usually starts with the discussion on the criteria of statehood, including the evolution of those criteria since the Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States. Still, understanding whether an entity is a state is crucial for promoting the case for international recognition. While recognition implies fulfillment of certain international legal criteria, it is a political decision. Hence, if legally speaking, the conflicts under discussion share a similar legal framework, the political context of the two conflicts varies considerably. The foreign policy, security and strategic interests of the countries involved in these conflicts locally, regionally or internationally determine the international political framework for the conflict resolution. Consequently, the peaceful resolution of these conflicts hinges on the interests and the willingness of the external actors related to the conflicts.
Arevik Anapiosyan, AUA PSIA Alumnus, Ph.D, Yerevan State University
Organizer: AUA Political Science and International Affairs Program
Venue: 113W, Paramaz Avedisian Building