OSCE can resolve conflicts in South Caucasus - German foreign minister
TBILISI. July 1 (Interfax) - The OSCE can play a prominent role in preventing an escalation of tensions and settling conflicts in countries of the South Caucasus, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Friday during his visit to Tbilisi.
He said he had met with his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Janelidze to discuss the regional situation, including conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
"We have also discussed regional security matters. The situation involving Armenia and Azerbaijan made it clear to everyone that regional tensions not only persisted but could also develop into more serious forms, an escalation. We saw what happened in Nagorno-Karabakh in recent months. Many people died. We have managed to temporality defuse that problem but this is not a lasting solution," Steinmeier said at a joint press briefing with Janelidze.
"Being the OSCE chair country, Germany is trying together with other countries to put a lid on this conflict, to hold negotiations, and not only to restore the status quo and to freeze the conflict but also to achieve its efficient and lasting settlement," the German minister said.
"Of course, we have also discussed Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I think that the Georgian government is holding a very pragmatic policy and is trying to avoid the appearance of new hotbeds of tensions. Georgia is doing the utmost to improve the situation. Hopefully, the OSCE can play a positive role in the prevention of an escalation in this area as well," the German foreign minister said.