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ARMENIAN MFA ON FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES ENVISAGED IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM - INTERVIEW
http://news.am/eng/news/110512.html
June 21, 2012 | 21:35
YEREVAN.- An interview of the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan to Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Mr. Kocharyan, Armenian Parliament has already approved the government
program for the next five years. Tell about the foreign policy
component outlined in the program.
In coming years, Armenia's foreign policy will continue to develop in
the direction which pursues the goal to ensure protection of the state
interests, the country's security, creation of favorable external
conditions for economic development, enhancing the international
image of Armenia, ensuring regional stability and security.
Obviously, one of Armenia's most important foreign policy objectives
is settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
In this regard, greater efforts will be taken to involve
Nagorno-Karabakh in the negotiation process. Everyone realizes that it
is difficult to speak about effectiveness of talks without Karabakh's
participation. Naturally, we assume that the basis for resolving the
conflict should be Karabakh people's right to self-determination.
In addition, the efforts of both Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) must be aimed at ruling out the attempts of military
solution to the conflict. Armenia will continue to support all steps
taken by NKR, aimed at its economic development, strengthening of
defense capability, and in general the two Armenian states together
will continue to move towards the development of a democratic society.
In this regard, however, there is an interesting difference: while
Armenia is under current monitoring, we are constantly pointed at
the problems and mistakes, NKR is building a democratic society
without any outside support. Moreover, after regular elections in
Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh], which are characterized as those held in
accordance with international standards, sometimes voices condemning
the vote are heard in favor of Azerbaijan.
Armenia will continue to deepen alliances with its strategic partner
- Russia, to develop friendly relations with the United States,
to enhance cooperation with EU countries and the EU itself. Further
deepening of relations with neighboring Georgia and Iran are also
of great importance. We are historically bound by good neighborly
relations with these nations.
Armenia plans to expand cooperation with China, India, Japan, the Arab
world. More attention will be paid to the development of relations
with other countries in the Asian region, the countries of Africa
and Latin America.
Government's program also pays attention to ensuring the military
and political security. In this regard, relationship with Russia, and
Armenia's membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) is important. We will continue to deepen cooperation in this
relatively young organization which faces a process of strengthening
and improving efficiency. Armenia is actively involved in this
process, too.
One of the important components of the government program in general,
and the Foreign Ministry in particular, are the efforts aimed at
prevention and condemnation of crimes against humanity, such as
genocide. This work is especially important in the light of the 100th
anniversary of the tragedy the Armenian people survived. The undertaken
moves are important not only for our country and the Diaspora, but for
entire world. The unpunished crimes against humanity and denial of the
fact of crime create fertile ground for recurrence of similar events.
We will also continue efforts to actively participate in various
international agencies, as a full member or observer, depending on
the organization and on our goals.
Are there plans to open new embassies?
The process of increasing the number of Armenian diplomatic missions
abroad continues. Armenia's embassies opened in several countries
within the past two years. We will make efforts to open new embassies.
Will the Armenian side make efforts to promote its position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement?
The point is that Azerbaijan is the side to be engaged in publicity
stunt using talks as a cover. Our goal is to expose distorted facts
promoted by Azerbaijan and present the true course of events. We are
not distorting the international law, it is on our side.
The truth is that the conflict broke out and turned into war due
to Azerbaijan's politics of power. It is not mere coincidence that
position voiced by Armenia is coherent with those expressed by the
co-chairing states and representatives of different international
agencies.
Azerbaijan's actions and statements run counter to the steps offered
by international institutions and mediators in order to create an
atmosphere of confidence between peoples, which is a prerequisite
for achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.
Thus, the mediators are calling for withdrawal of snipers from the
contact line; Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia support the proposal, while
Azerbaijan is against it. The mediators offer creation of mechanisms
to investigate the incidents on frontline - again, Nagorno-Karabakh
and Armenia are for, while Azerbaijan is against the initiative. In
response to calls by the international community to maintain the
ceasefire agreement Azerbaijan holds acts of sabotage. We do have
strong positions but this does not mean that we should not work -
on the contrary, we must work hard to further present the rightness
of our position.
Has foreign office launched preparation for events marking
100thanniversary of the Armenian Genocide?
Although the world will mark tragic anniversary in 2015, preparation
for the events has already started. It must be taken into account
that Turkey is extremely concerned about the upcoming date, and with
a persistency mobilizes its forces, including the communities abroad,
in an attempt to hinder the process of international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide. However, it will not stop the process of
international recognition. By denying the Genocide, leadership of
modern Turkey resembles the Ottoman Turkey government which perpetrated
the Genocide.
Can you present the details on the components of Armenia's external
security?
The two Armenian states first of all reckon their own strength, and
military parades in Yerevan and Stepanakert have demonstrated that in
case of any events, the response may be asymmetric. In modern world
security of even larger states, definitely, supposes cooperation,
teamwork and membership in a military-political bloc. Armenia is a
CSTO member and at the same time is working effectively with NATO.
In addition to the CSTO obligations, in case of aggression against
Armenia, we have a bilateral treaty with Russia, and during the state
visit of Russian [former] President Dmitry Medvedev to Armenia the
document was amended. According to the document, together with the
Armenian side, Russia is obliged to provide security along the entire
perimeter of the Armenian border, not the length of the former Soviet
border, as previously. Besides, it is important that the negotiation
process on Nagorno-Karabakh involve three states, permanent members
of UN Security Council.
The negotiation process, in fact, has two components - to contribute
to the comprehensive peace agreement and to avoid slipping into a new
armed confrontation. Not coincidentally, the recent sabotage undertaken
by Azerbaijan at the line of contact with Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
were rebuffed both by the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
states and directly the mediators. OSCE Chairperson-in-Office,
Foreign Minister of Ireland and the future Chairperson-in-Office -
the Foreign Minister of Ukraine - have repeatedly stated that one of
the organization's priorities is prevention of military solutions of
the conflict.
http://news.am/eng/news/110512.html
June 21, 2012 | 21:35
YEREVAN.- An interview of the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan to Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Mr. Kocharyan, Armenian Parliament has already approved the government
program for the next five years. Tell about the foreign policy
component outlined in the program.
In coming years, Armenia's foreign policy will continue to develop in
the direction which pursues the goal to ensure protection of the state
interests, the country's security, creation of favorable external
conditions for economic development, enhancing the international
image of Armenia, ensuring regional stability and security.
Obviously, one of Armenia's most important foreign policy objectives
is settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
In this regard, greater efforts will be taken to involve
Nagorno-Karabakh in the negotiation process. Everyone realizes that it
is difficult to speak about effectiveness of talks without Karabakh's
participation. Naturally, we assume that the basis for resolving the
conflict should be Karabakh people's right to self-determination.
In addition, the efforts of both Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) must be aimed at ruling out the attempts of military
solution to the conflict. Armenia will continue to support all steps
taken by NKR, aimed at its economic development, strengthening of
defense capability, and in general the two Armenian states together
will continue to move towards the development of a democratic society.
In this regard, however, there is an interesting difference: while
Armenia is under current monitoring, we are constantly pointed at
the problems and mistakes, NKR is building a democratic society
without any outside support. Moreover, after regular elections in
Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh], which are characterized as those held in
accordance with international standards, sometimes voices condemning
the vote are heard in favor of Azerbaijan.
Armenia will continue to deepen alliances with its strategic partner
- Russia, to develop friendly relations with the United States,
to enhance cooperation with EU countries and the EU itself. Further
deepening of relations with neighboring Georgia and Iran are also
of great importance. We are historically bound by good neighborly
relations with these nations.
Armenia plans to expand cooperation with China, India, Japan, the Arab
world. More attention will be paid to the development of relations
with other countries in the Asian region, the countries of Africa
and Latin America.
Government's program also pays attention to ensuring the military
and political security. In this regard, relationship with Russia, and
Armenia's membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) is important. We will continue to deepen cooperation in this
relatively young organization which faces a process of strengthening
and improving efficiency. Armenia is actively involved in this
process, too.
One of the important components of the government program in general,
and the Foreign Ministry in particular, are the efforts aimed at
prevention and condemnation of crimes against humanity, such as
genocide. This work is especially important in the light of the 100th
anniversary of the tragedy the Armenian people survived. The undertaken
moves are important not only for our country and the Diaspora, but for
entire world. The unpunished crimes against humanity and denial of the
fact of crime create fertile ground for recurrence of similar events.
We will also continue efforts to actively participate in various
international agencies, as a full member or observer, depending on
the organization and on our goals.
Are there plans to open new embassies?
The process of increasing the number of Armenian diplomatic missions
abroad continues. Armenia's embassies opened in several countries
within the past two years. We will make efforts to open new embassies.
Will the Armenian side make efforts to promote its position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement?
The point is that Azerbaijan is the side to be engaged in publicity
stunt using talks as a cover. Our goal is to expose distorted facts
promoted by Azerbaijan and present the true course of events. We are
not distorting the international law, it is on our side.
The truth is that the conflict broke out and turned into war due
to Azerbaijan's politics of power. It is not mere coincidence that
position voiced by Armenia is coherent with those expressed by the
co-chairing states and representatives of different international
agencies.
Azerbaijan's actions and statements run counter to the steps offered
by international institutions and mediators in order to create an
atmosphere of confidence between peoples, which is a prerequisite
for achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.
Thus, the mediators are calling for withdrawal of snipers from the
contact line; Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia support the proposal, while
Azerbaijan is against it. The mediators offer creation of mechanisms
to investigate the incidents on frontline - again, Nagorno-Karabakh
and Armenia are for, while Azerbaijan is against the initiative. In
response to calls by the international community to maintain the
ceasefire agreement Azerbaijan holds acts of sabotage. We do have
strong positions but this does not mean that we should not work -
on the contrary, we must work hard to further present the rightness
of our position.
Has foreign office launched preparation for events marking
100thanniversary of the Armenian Genocide?
Although the world will mark tragic anniversary in 2015, preparation
for the events has already started. It must be taken into account
that Turkey is extremely concerned about the upcoming date, and with
a persistency mobilizes its forces, including the communities abroad,
in an attempt to hinder the process of international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide. However, it will not stop the process of
international recognition. By denying the Genocide, leadership of
modern Turkey resembles the Ottoman Turkey government which perpetrated
the Genocide.
Can you present the details on the components of Armenia's external
security?
The two Armenian states first of all reckon their own strength, and
military parades in Yerevan and Stepanakert have demonstrated that in
case of any events, the response may be asymmetric. In modern world
security of even larger states, definitely, supposes cooperation,
teamwork and membership in a military-political bloc. Armenia is a
CSTO member and at the same time is working effectively with NATO.
In addition to the CSTO obligations, in case of aggression against
Armenia, we have a bilateral treaty with Russia, and during the state
visit of Russian [former] President Dmitry Medvedev to Armenia the
document was amended. According to the document, together with the
Armenian side, Russia is obliged to provide security along the entire
perimeter of the Armenian border, not the length of the former Soviet
border, as previously. Besides, it is important that the negotiation
process on Nagorno-Karabakh involve three states, permanent members
of UN Security Council.
The negotiation process, in fact, has two components - to contribute
to the comprehensive peace agreement and to avoid slipping into a new
armed confrontation. Not coincidentally, the recent sabotage undertaken
by Azerbaijan at the line of contact with Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
were rebuffed both by the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
states and directly the mediators. OSCE Chairperson-in-Office,
Foreign Minister of Ireland and the future Chairperson-in-Office -
the Foreign Minister of Ukraine - have repeatedly stated that one of
the organization's priorities is prevention of military solutions of
the conflict.