The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 8 2004
Yerevan comes out from the shadows
According to the Russian newspaper Red Star, the Minister of Defense
and Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia Serzh
Sarkisian gave an interview to the republic’s public TV in which he
shed light on some aspects of military politics.
Much attention was paid to Armenian-Russian relations. According to
the Minister of Defense, Russia was and is the main strategic ally of
Armenia. Serzh Sarkisian denied all allegations that Armenia does not
want to deal with Russia and wants to enter NATO. He called all the
rumors about this “political commotion.”
“I never wished nor wish now for Armenian to enter NATO. Owing to the
fact that we participate in the Organization of Agreement on Joint
Security, many issues, which should not be announced, are being
positively discussed and decided,” he noted. Nevertheless Armenia is
actively participating in different projects and programs of the
North-Atlantic block.
According to Sarkisian, start of Armenia’s cooperation with NATO is
simply taking advantage of opportunities. As he thinks, the aim of
cooperation with NATO is that Armenia wants to become a full member
of the European family.
“We will continue to intensify our cooperation with the alliance and
think that this cooperation is a component part of national
security,” Sarkisian said. As for cooperation with Western partners,
he noted that Armenia is obliged to send its military specialists to
Iraq. “By its participation, Armenia must contribute in the
establishment of stability in Iraq,” he noted. Concerning the
Karabakh conflict, Sarkisian stated that Armenia has no wish to renew
military actions with Azerbaijan. He said that Yerevan is not
interested in reducing Azerbaijan’s participation in the NATO program
“Partnership for Peace.”