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Armenia favours cooperation with both NATO and Russia, defence minister says
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
30 Sep 04
Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan has denied that Armenia
has abandoned Russia and is going to join NATO.
"Undoubtedly, Russia is our military partner. All rumours that
allegedly Armenia has turned its back on Russia and is planning to join
NATO are wide of the mark. I believe that our political opponents are
behind them. Russia, indeed, is a mighty state. Despite statements that
it has weakened, we should say that Russia is a state with potential
opportunities. We are obliged to bear all these aspects in mind in
our relations," Sarkisyan said in an interview with Armenian Public TV.
The minister went on to say that "Armenia-NATO or Armenia-USA
cooperation is not being established at the expense of Armenian-Russian
collaboration. If we pull out of the CIS Collective Security Treaty
Organization and state our intention to join NATO, Armenia will have
to alter its orientation. However, we remain adhered to the treaty,
we have signed a long-term military contract with Russia, and it is
our major military partner. In parallel with these, we are expanding
our cooperation with NATO and the USA, which means that we are simply
exploiting the existing opportunities," Sarkisyan said.
Asked what should be done to further boost Armenian-Russian military
ties, Sarkisyan said that "for the time being, we have signed over
50 contracts and agreements and they have provided us with the legal
basis to expand relations".
"However, we have problems in this field, too. I think we should
resolve all of them. Second, I am reiterating that our military
cooperation is limitless and we should expand it further," Sarkisyan
said.
The Armenian defence minister said that "on 1 January, we shall
probably sign contracts on ammunition and food supplies with
Russia's enterprises. The procurement conditions [for weapons for
the Collective Security Treaty Organization members] will be the same
as for the Russian army. I do not know off hand how wide the limits
of relations will be, nevertheless, I know that they will be firm,"
Serzh Sarkisyan concluded.
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
30 Sep 04
Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan has denied that Armenia
has abandoned Russia and is going to join NATO.
"Undoubtedly, Russia is our military partner. All rumours that
allegedly Armenia has turned its back on Russia and is planning to join
NATO are wide of the mark. I believe that our political opponents are
behind them. Russia, indeed, is a mighty state. Despite statements that
it has weakened, we should say that Russia is a state with potential
opportunities. We are obliged to bear all these aspects in mind in
our relations," Sarkisyan said in an interview with Armenian Public TV.
The minister went on to say that "Armenia-NATO or Armenia-USA
cooperation is not being established at the expense of Armenian-Russian
collaboration. If we pull out of the CIS Collective Security Treaty
Organization and state our intention to join NATO, Armenia will have
to alter its orientation. However, we remain adhered to the treaty,
we have signed a long-term military contract with Russia, and it is
our major military partner. In parallel with these, we are expanding
our cooperation with NATO and the USA, which means that we are simply
exploiting the existing opportunities," Sarkisyan said.
Asked what should be done to further boost Armenian-Russian military
ties, Sarkisyan said that "for the time being, we have signed over
50 contracts and agreements and they have provided us with the legal
basis to expand relations".
"However, we have problems in this field, too. I think we should
resolve all of them. Second, I am reiterating that our military
cooperation is limitless and we should expand it further," Sarkisyan
said.
The Armenian defence minister said that "on 1 January, we shall
probably sign contracts on ammunition and food supplies with
Russia's enterprises. The procurement conditions [for weapons for
the Collective Security Treaty Organization members] will be the same
as for the Russian army. I do not know off hand how wide the limits
of relations will be, nevertheless, I know that they will be firm,"
Serzh Sarkisyan concluded.