Globalization Jeopardizes Ethnic Identity in South Caucasus

PanARMENIAN.Net - Meetings of the international consortium for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement go on in Stepanakert. Representatives of "Reconciliation Resources" and "International Alert" British organizations held consultations with Karabakh political scientists and experts. Georgian human rights activist Paata Zakareashvili and Azeri lawyer Avez Ghasanov took part in the conference. According to Paata Zakareashvili, despite the great number of common elements the peoples and counties in the South Caucasus never aspired for a united state. "Even if it happened it was under the pressure of imperial threats by third states. The countries of the region resorted to the help of allies for the settlement of domestic problems. At that each country has its allies and often this issue caused controversies," he said. For his part, Avez Ghasanov noted that state of the region could cooperate in the human rights, youth policy, cultural exchange and educational fields. "However, everyone should change something in his mentality to avoid confrontation and integration," he noted. According to director of "Tradition" Karabakh cultural center Valery Balayan the integration could become more possible with the availability of a uniting structure - as it's known Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are CoE member-states and participants of the Euroeopan Neighborhood Policy.



In the opinion of the conference participants the ideas of globalization in the South Caucasus jeopardize ethnic identity. As editor of Accord magazine Laurence Browers noted, the aspiration for sovereignty impedes the desire of many peoples to resolve their problems within the context of world processes. Something common should be found for all. For the European Union, for example, this common ground should become economy and liberal and democratic values. Maintenance of existing ethnic and civilized variety should also be a unifying factor, reported Karabakh Online.