YEREVAN. – Even though NATO does not play a specific role from the viewpoint of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it sees that this problem hampers its partnership relations in the South Caucasus.

The NATO senior analyst on Euro-Atlantic integration and partnership affairs, Stefan Elgersma, on Friday noted the above-said at the 89th Rose-Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and which is held in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan.

Nonetheless, in his words, NATO will continue to focus on cooperation with all three South Caucasus countries (Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan).

“First and foremost, our [i.e. NATO’s] position is assisting the OSCE Minsk Group, which plays a very positive role,” stressed Elgersma. “We should try to make sure to continue our partnership relations without any slowdown.”

The analyst added, however, that Armenia’s engagement in NATO programs and in peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo will come to an end one day.

“So, how will we ensure the continuation of this cooperation of ours?” asked Stefan Elgersma.