Mountainous Karabakh: Conflict Resolution through Power- sharing and Regional Integration Tabib Huseynov* * Tabib Huseynov is a graduate of Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. His areas of research interest are ethno-territorial conflicts, multiple approaches to conflict resolution and multi-ethnic governance. He has published articles in the Stradigma journal (Turkey), The Activist (Hungary), Echo and Azeri Voice (Azerbaijan). He can be reached at
[email protected]. Abstract This article examines the Karabakh conflict - one of the most protracted, violent and complicated ethno-territorial conflicts in the post-communist space. It addresses the major obstacles the parties facing towards settlement, and suggests a way to solve the conflict. One of the practical findings is that the Karabakh conflict cannot be solved exclusively on an intra-state level and requires a combination of intra-state measures with inter-state and supra-state measures. Thus, the article advocates a three-step approach to resolution of the conflict – introducing fundamental principles of a solution, which would reduce uncertainty and provide a ‘road map’; creating a dual power-sharing arrangement, which would be based on equal relationships between Azeris and Armenians at both sub- state (Mountainous Karabakh) and national (Azerbaijan) levels; and combining this power-sharing arrangement with regional and EU integration. Introduction The Armenian-Azeri ethnic and territorial conflict over Mountainous Karabakh, or simply, the Karabakh conflict, is the longest running ethno-territorial conflict in the post- communist area. It represents a very interesting case to students of conflict and conflict resolution due to the complexities of history, ethnic identities and nationalism, as well as the presence of the whole gamut of questions, which the field of conflict resolution is dealing with.