European Union Institutions are unable to solve the conflicts in the South Caucasus,  said Peter Tase, a political analyst and international relations expert with the Marquette University in an exclusive interview to “Eurasia Diary”. 

Eurasia Diary:  From your opinion, what are the main economic and social problems in three South Caucasian countries today?

Peter Tase: The main obstacle of economic development in the South Caucasus is the attitude of a rogue regime in Armenia. Poor leadership of Armenian politicians is causing so many hardships to their countrymen and to the Armenian colonies that are injected within the sovereign territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. 

Eurasia Diary: Unfortunately, there is no steady peaceful  situation in South Caucasus, due to fact that there have been conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan for a few decades.  From your point of view, what kind of way is necessary for the settlement of conflicts and the reinforcement of  comprehensive stability in South Caucasus?

Peter Tase: I can explain how peace should be restored in region with facts.  First, International pressure against Armenian Government, in order to ensure the full withdrawal of Armenian Armed Forces from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.  Second, Making sure that Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan is fully respected as a sovereign territory of Azerbaijan and that the Armenian government must stop imposing its economic sanctions against Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and its people. Third, The world must know, become aware, of the major destruction that Armenian Armed Forces have inflicted against the people and cultural assets of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Finally, Armenian Armed Forces and its Government must issue a public apology for all of the pain and suffering that Yerevan has caused to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

 Eurasia Diary:  In your opinion, does the European Union have capacity to solve conflicts and regulate  stable situation in South Caucasus?

Peter Tase: We have repeatedly ascertained that European Union Institutions are unable to solve the conflicts in the South Caucasus region; the OSCE has proved to be a total failure and the US Co-Chair of the Minsk Group Ambassador James B. Warlick is an example of double standard practices used in favor of Armenian government and its cronies.  The involvement of Russian Federation in the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is commendable and there is always a great need to involve other international partners.

Eurasia Diary:  What can you say about the role of neighboring countries in the resolution of conflicts between the two South Caucasian nations, Armenia and Azerbaijan?

Peter Tase: The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Georgia have a growing potential to contribute in preserving peace and stability in the Caucasus Region and in the Persian Gulf.  Both countries participate in multilateral forums and organizations that promote economic growth, regional security and a better connection infrastructure. The Nagorno-Karabakh armed conflict is holding hostage the whole region of the Caucasus, its economic developed is hampered (during the last two decades) and the aggressor state of Armenia faces even more economic hardships than any other country in the Caucasus; while more than twenty percent of Azerbaijani territory is occupied and completely destroyed (including cultural monuments, archaeological sites, schools, libraries and constant human casualties in the line of contact). 

 Eurasia Diary: Based on your opinion, is the Western Integration system sustainable and worth considering for the political, economic and social developments in South Caucasus?  

 Peter Tase: Western European Integration model is going through difficult times and is facing significant hardships on many fronts including: BREXIT; NATO's limited financial resources; economic stagnation in Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy; the rampant corruption scandals in the office of Federica Mogherini (High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy), the Crimean Crisis in Ukraine; EU-Russian Partnership as well as the ever more irrelevant role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  All of these challenges and obstacles that are encountered at the heart of Western European model of integration have jeopardized the admirable credibility of European Union and of other European institutions.  The efficiency and effectiveness levels of these highly regarded traditional institutions of Western Europe have gone down and unfortunately their inherited good image has irreversibly plummeted.  To conclude: the peaceful solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed conflict ought to be solved by United Nations and other multilateral organizations that have earned a reputation on crisis management and on the peaceful resolution of conflicts. 

Peter Tase was a Special Adviser to the Paraguayan Government on political, trade, strategic communication and commercial affairs (2012-2013). He has published more than 300 articles with a focus on International Affairs, Azerbaijani history and current affairs, Paraguayan Studies, Latin American Studies and European current affairs.

Interview by Yunis Abdullayev