COOPERATION WITH NATO AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF ARMENIA’S NATIONAL SECURITY
armradio.am
28.04.2009 18:24
The President said the European direction remains one of the priorities
of Armenia’s foreign policy, and the cooperation with NATO is one
of its main components. Serzh Sargsyan said he views the cooperation
with NATO within the framework of the Partnership for Peace Program
as a component of our national security.
Claudio Bisogniero conveyed the greetings of NATO Secretary General
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to President Serzh Sargsyan. Noting that this
was the first high-level visit after 2004, Mr. Bisogniero said it
is a proof of the great importance NATO attaches to its relations
with Armenia. According to him, NATO is satisfied with the progress
registered so far in different spheres of Armenia-NATO cooperation.
NATO’s Deputy Secretary General ranked high the reforms implemented
in the field of defense, and Armenia’s participation in a number of
programs within the framework of NATO.
The parties were unanimous in their opinion that the Armenia-NATO
Individual Partnership Action Plan is an effective tool for promoting
bilateral cooperation.
The interlocutors exchanged views on a number of issues connected with
ensuring security and stability in the region. President Sargsyan said
the settlement of existing conflicts is important for the improvement
of the security atmosphere.
According to the NATO official, the Alliance welcomes the
Armenian-Turkish political dialogue and the progress in that
direction. Regarding the Nagorno Karabakh issue, he noted that although
NATO is not directly involved in the process, it closely watches the
developments and welcomes any effort that will bring to the peaceful
resolution of the issue.
The parties agreed that the conflict should be solved in compliance
with all principles of international law, no principle can prevail
or substitute another one.