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, AssA-Irada reports.

"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."

/AzerNEWS/