German expert sees talks as only option for Garabagh
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 13 2006
Baku, July 12, AssA-Irada — A German expert says Azerbaijan and
Armenia should refrain from military action to settle the Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict and the only solution is peace talks.
The resumption of hostilities would prove disastrous for both
countries and seriously complicate their admission to the EU and
European integration in general, the former German official, Rolf
Shteltemayer, said.
Shteltemayer said that unfortunately, both countries lack political
will to attain resolution to the long-standing dispute.
"The sides should realize that a full solution to the conflict should
not be expected," he said.
The analyst called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to accept a stage-by-stage
settlement, saying the two countries had failed to make a final
decision on the issue.
With regard to the status of Upper Garabagh, Shteltemayer said if
the issue cannot be resolved at this stage, it should be put off
until later.
The expert said the importance of resolving the conflict is related
to the tremendous importance the South Caucasus region represents
for Europe.
"There is not only oil involved and the issue has to do with other
economic reasons as well. The region can now be seen as a gateway
to Europe. It could turn into an area of struggle of the world’s
superpowers. Iran is very close to the region and Europe does not
want a new source of threat – the Garabagh conflict – to emerge here."*