YEREVAN. – Stability was the most important thing for South Caucasus in 2011, President of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, political scientist Alexander Rondeli told Armenian News-NEWS.am. In his words, what’s most important for the region is stability, which was achieved in the passing year. 

“Even though the economic downturn did touch the three South Caucasus countries, it did not do what it could have done. Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan need to avoid domestic commotion. [And] This was achieved to some extent,” the analyst stated.  

Alexander Rondeli also expressed optimism in terms of predictions for the coming year. “The year 2011 created preconditions for the steady development of the South Caucasus republics. Commotion is very unlikely,” he noted, also pointing to the chance of escalation in the Karabakh conflict.   

And in response to what Georgia would do in the event of an escalation, the political scientist said: “If soup were to be cooked in Nagorno-Karabakh, we [Georgia] would not be its butter.” According to him, South Caucasus does not need conflicts. “The region will be competitive if it unites and starts expanding the economic potential. The time has come,” Alexander Rondeli concluded.