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NATO not to create dividing lines in Caucasus, alliance chief says

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  • NATO not to create dividing lines in Caucasus, alliance chief says

    NATO not to create dividing lines in Caucasus, alliance chief says

    Mediamax news agency, Yerevan
    1 Nov 04

    NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who is to visit the
    South Caucasus countries in early November, has said that the aim of
    the visit is to encourage the countries of the region to make the most
    of NATO's partnership programmes. In an exclusive interview with
    Armenian Mediamax news agency ahead of the visit, Scheffer said that
    NATO's policy of enlargement aimed to extend the benefits of stability
    and security, which alliance members enjoy, to new member
    states. Scheffer stressed that "NATO enlargement is designed to break
    down dividing lines rather than create them". He also denied that
    friction between Turkey and Armenia could impede Yerevan's cooperation
    with NATO. The following is the text of the interview in English by
    Armenian news agency Mediamax headlined "The alliance wishes to deepen
    its cooperation with Armenia" on 1 November; subheadings have been
    inserted editorially:

    NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will arrive in Yerevan on
    5 November. Ahead of the visit he gave an exclusive interview to
    Mediamax news agency.

    South Caucasus states urged to make most of NATO programmes

    [Mediamax correspondent] Mr Secretary-General, at the summit in
    Istanbul [28-29 June 2004] the South Caucasus was officially described
    as a priority region for NATO. What specific changes in the alliance's
    policy in relation to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan are you going to
    present during your visit to the region?

    [Jaap de Hoop Scheffer] At the Istanbul Summit, allies reaffirmed
    their commitment to an enhanced, closer and more individualized
    relationship with NATO's partners from the South Caucasus. We want to
    work with all of the countries of the region on the basis of their
    priorities. This will be my main message.

    In order to support this policy, allied leaders took two important
    decisions. The first was to appoint one liaison officer for the
    Caucasus, as well as one for Central Asia. The second decision was to
    agree on the appointment of the secretary-general's special
    representative for the two regions, who would be responsible for
    establishing high-level working contacts with regional leaders in
    order to support NATO's objectives. Robert Simmons, who I nominated
    for this post, will accompany me during my visit.

    This visit will be an opportunity to encourage the three countries to
    make the most of the partnership instruments which are of most
    relevance for them - such as the Planning and Review Process (PARP)
    which provides for consultations on defence reform issues and
    establishing the ability for partner armed forces to work with NATO
    armed forces; the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) which will
    provide a framework for individual relations with NATO; and the new
    Partnership Action Plan on Defence Institution Building which is
    designed to help build up the institutions which are critical in any
    democratic society to successfully decide upon and implement defence
    policy.

    Partnership with NATO requires democratic reforms

    [Correspondent] In November 2002, your predecessor at this post, Lord
    Robertson, told our agency that "the partners willing to take
    advantage of a more individual relationship with NATO would have to be
    able to do the following: they would have to demonstrate true and
    sustained determination to walk the path of democratic transformation
    and pursue a foreign and security policy to support it". Do you think
    the South Caucasus countries demonstrate the abovementioned efforts?

    [Scheffer] In 2002, we offered all partners the opportunity to engage
    with the alliance in Individual Partnership Action Plans. This new
    mechanism allows willing partners to develop a more individualized
    relations with the alliance focused on reform.

    Of course, the main emphasis is put on defence reform, where NATO has
    special expertise to offer. NATO is an alliance based on values
    including the commitment to democratic and economic reform,
    fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. To be successful, defence
    and other critical reforms must be underpinned by these values. We
    know that the path of reform is a long and difficult one, and this is
    why allies are ready to assist the countries of the region. The fact
    that all three South Caucasus countries have engaged in an IPAP is an
    important sign that they are willing to look at all aspects of
    reform. Genuine efforts to meet the objectives which they define for
    themselves will now be needed in order for our cooperation to move
    ahead.

    NATO differentiates between South Caucasus and Central Asia

    [Correspondent] Don't you think that NATO is not quite right to
    consider the regions of the South Caucasus and Central Asia in the
    same plane? Taking into account serious differences between these
    regions, especially different problems in the security sphere, do you
    think an individualized approach to each of these regions will be more
    effective?

    [Scheffer] The fact that we consider both regions as strategically
    important does not mean that we fail to differentiate between
    them. Indeed, even if they share some common characteristics and
    legacies, it is obvious that they are very different. Our new
    cooperation mechanisms give us the opportunity to build up
    relationships tailored to the specific needs of the individual
    countries, allowing us to take into account the diversity between
    regions and the countries in each of the regions.

    Relations with Russia no obstacle to Armenia's cooperation with NATO

    [Correspondent] Many people think that sooner or later Armenia will
    have to choose between maintaining close ties with Russia and further
    integration into NATO. There is another opinion as well: Armenia can
    become kind of a "bridge" between Russia and NATO. Which of these two
    positions is closer to you?

    [Scheffer] The alliance wishes to deepen its cooperation with
    Armenia. While it is perhaps the case that in the past this country
    has not pursued its partnership with the alliance at the same pace as
    the other two South Caucasus countries, we see clear signs now that
    Yerevan is committed to deepening our relations, and we are pleased to
    engage with Armenia. For example, Armenia has just accredited an
    ambassador in Brussels whose sole responsibility will be related with
    NATO. In addition, Armenia has declared its intention to participate
    in the IPAP process, which will provide the critical framework for
    pursuing these enhanced relations on the issues that the country
    chooses.

    Armenia does indeed enjoy a good relationship with the Russian
    Federation, but that should not in any way impede the development of
    its relations with NATO. We have worked successfully with Russia over
    the last few years to overcome lingering suspicions, and now cooperate
    on many practical issues through the NATO-Russia Council.

    Armenia is a proof that a country can maintain a close relationship
    with Russia and at the same time be a very active partner of
    NATO. Allies, Russia and the Caucasus states have all a strong
    interest in regional stability. All our countries face the same
    threats from terrorists who do not respect borders, from proliferation
    and from failed states. Our capacity to address these new threats will
    depend on our ability to bridge old dividing lines and avoid any sense
    of competition. The partnership between NATO and Russia is driven by
    this understanding. And because it has strong links with both Russia
    and the West, Armenia can not only benefit from this relation but also
    has a strong interest in supporting it.

    Turkey not averse to Armenia-NATO cooperation

    [Correspondent] Unsettled Armenian-Turkish relations negatively affect
    Armenia-NATO cooperation. It is clear that NATO's headquarters in
    Brussels cannot affect the foreign policy of its
    members. Nevertheless, does the existence of this problem cause your
    concern?

    [Scheffer] You are correct that NATO does not react to the policies of
    its member states. Nevertheless, I would like to stress that Turkey
    has never been in the way of cooperation between Armenia and NATO, and
    that many high-level meetings between leaders of Turkey and Armenia
    have taken place on the margins of meetings of the Euro-Atlantic
    Partnership Council. This is for me an illustration that the
    partnership is a very helpful framework through which to maintain
    dialogue.

    NATO not to create dividing lines in Caucasus

    [Correspondent] Armenian officials say that if Georgia and Azerbaijan
    become NATO members and Armenia does not, this will obviously bring
    about new dividing lines in the Caucasus. Do you see such a danger?

    [Scheffer] It is difficult to answer a question based on a
    hypothetical scenario. NATO's policy of enlargement is driven by the
    desire to extend the benefits of stability and security, which
    alliance members enjoy, to new member states. It is not aimed against
    any other countries, but simply at ensuring the security and stability
    of its members. While it is a fundamental right of every country to
    choose its own security arrangements, NATO enlargement is designed to
    break down dividing lines rather than create them. This is a
    fundamental principle of enlargement which will not change in the
    future.

    [Correspondent] Do you agree with the point of view that NATO is ready
    to go in its relations with Armenia as far as Armenia itself is ready
    to?

    [Scheffer] This is indeed the modus operandi of the Euro-Atlantic
    Partnership. Partnership for Peace programs are open to all partners
    and it is for them to decide the extent to which they want to
    cooperate and where they wish to focus their cooperation.

    Let me give you an example. In 1994, allies opened to partners the
    Planning and Review Process, a very important mechanism to provide
    guidance on how to make troops interoperable with NATO. For many
    years, it was not a priority for Armenia to contribute to NATO-led
    operations, and it did not therefore participate in the PARP. Two
    years ago, the Armenian authorities decided that they wanted to have
    troops able to join international operations and Armenia joined the
    PARP. Today, Armenia is actively participating in the PARP and
    Armenian soldiers have joined troops of some 35 other nations in the
    NATO-led operation in Kosovo.

    I will add that following its recent decision to develop an IPAP,
    Armenia is using all available partnership mechanisms. This is a
    perfect illustration that there is only one prerequisite for a partner
    to deepen its cooperation with the alliance: its own willingness to do
    so.
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