ACCORDING TO ROBERT SIMMONS, NATO DOES NOT WELCOME RHETORICAL STATEMENTS ON WAR RESUMPTION
Noyan Tapan
Jun 20 2007
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Although NATO is concerned about
Iran’s nuclear program and the possible use of sanctions by the UN
Security Council in this connection, this cannot become an obstacle
to the development of economic relations between many countries and
Iran. The Special Representative of the NATO Secretary-General in the
South Caucasus, Ambassador Robert Simmons stated this at the June 20
press conference. "We understand Armenia’s state and the necessity to
seek new sources for the import of power bearing substances," he noted.
According to R. Simmons, NATO has good relations with all the
three South Caucasian states. At the same time he noted that the
security-related situation is different in these countries, and in its
relations NATO takes into account the interests of the given country,
including Armenia. R. Simmons reminded that Georgia intends to join
NATO, and the relations with Georgia are a bit different.
Speaking about the Karabakh problem, R. Simmons stated that NATO
does not want to be directly involved in the conflict settlement. "We
follow these developments but we have no intention to take an active
part in the negotiation process," he noted.
In his words, NATO welcomes the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs and hopes that negotiations will give a result. "We do
not welcome any rhetorical statements on war resumption: NATO is in
favor of resumption of the negotiations and their successful end,"
the ambassador said.