Sabina Freizer: "New war in Garabagh may resume by 2012"

The due information is reflected in the article of the expert of the International Crisis Group.

S.Freizer announced, commenting on the expansion of Azerbaijan's budget for military needs, as well as the promises of President Ilham Aliyev to balance the said budget with the overall state budget of Armenia, that she does not consider the soonest initiation of new hostilities to be possible.

"The fact is that the open war will not resume tomorrow, it may start by 2012, when Azerbaijan's oil revenues will reach their top. This will allow the government of the country to ponder over the release of its occupied lands", S.Freizer noted.

The article fixes that in 2004-2005 Azerbaijan increased its military expenses by 51%, while in 2006 the country's budget made up 82%. The expert acknowledges that by this parameter Armenia can hardly rival Azerbaijan.

"Though, Armenia's military expenses make up the fourth part of Azerbaijan's, last year Armenia purchased weapons in the amount of $280,000,000, which is another record. Armenian officials consider that they would be able to achieve more with lesser potential, as they may conclude better deals for purchase of weapons from Russia", the article notes.

/ArmInfo/