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Armenia's Highest Political Circles Negotiating with NATO

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  • Armenia's Highest Political Circles Negotiating with NATO

    HOVHANNES HOVHANNISIAN: ARMENIA'S HIGHEST POLITICAL CIRCLES NEGOTIATING WITH
    NATO

    Azg/Arm
    4 Nov 04

    NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will arrive in Yerevan on
    November 5. Hovhannes Hovhannisian, president of the Liberal
    Progressive Party, known for his pro-NATO views gave an interview to
    Azg Daily days before thevisit.


    - NATO seems to be expanding to the East, and some view this as an
    expansion against Russia.

    - I wouldn't say so. At the Istanbul summit of 2003 NATO made it clear
    that it has plans concerning the three South Caucasian states and will
    do everything to reach a high level of relationships.

    NATO's expansion is directed at reaching peace and stability
    withinNATO and the world in general. NATO considers 3 Caucasian states
    as potential candidates of the Treaty.

    - Does it mean we can come closer to NATO without tearing off with
    Russia?

    - Many powerful NATO states such as Italy and Germany maintain good
    relations with Russia. Do you think that we need to be a vassal
    country to be on good terms with Russia?

    - Do you approve of a complementary policy?

    - Any far-sighted geo-policy has the elements of complementarism but
    this is not the case. We often forget that Russia is not an axis
    anymore, we should treat it as a neighboring European state. The
    former totalitarian country vanished away long ago. The steps we take
    in the foreign policy should consider development of our own state.

    - Still, what does Armenia think of getting involved in a common
    structure with Azerbaijan?

    - If we coexisted alongside Azerbaijan in the Soviet Union why can't
    we do the same in the structure of NATO?

    - Last events within the frameworks of Cooperation for Peace
    Initiative do not promise a hopeful future.

    - I am sure that the 3 Caucasian states should join the NATO
    simultaneously. It is the guarantee for a lasting peaceful
    coexistence for them. And the war-battered region will get the chance
    of settling its conflicts.

    - In his recent interview to Mediamax news agency NATO Secretary
    General said that he sees readiness of deepening relations with NATO
    in Armenia. What parties (organizations) besides yours support NATO in
    Armenia?

    - The Ministry of Defense and highest political circles of the country
    are negotiating with NATO.

    - Will you meet the Secretary General during his visit in Armenia?

    - I knew the former Secretary well enough but have never met with the
    new one. Our meeting depends on his willingness.

    By Karine Danielian
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