HOVHANNES HOVHANNISIAN: ARMENIA’S HIGHEST POLITICAL CIRCLES NEGOTIATING WITH
NATO

Azg/Arm
4 Nov 04

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will arrive in Yerevan on
November 5. Hovhannes Hovhannisian, president of the Liberal
Progressive Party, known for his pro-NATO views gave an interview to
Azg Daily days before thevisit.

– NATO seems to be expanding to the East, and some view this as an
expansion against Russia.

– I wouldn’t say so. At the Istanbul summit of 2003 NATO made it clear
that it has plans concerning the three South Caucasian states and will
do everything to reach a high level of relationships.

NATO’s expansion is directed at reaching peace and stability
withinNATO and the world in general. NATO considers 3 Caucasian states
as potential candidates of the Treaty.

– Does it mean we can come closer to NATO without tearing off with
Russia?

– Many powerful NATO states such as Italy and Germany maintain good
relations with Russia. Do you think that we need to be a vassal
country to be on good terms with Russia?

– Do you approve of a complementary policy?

– Any far-sighted geo-policy has the elements of complementarism but
this is not the case. We often forget that Russia is not an axis
anymore, we should treat it as a neighboring European state. The
former totalitarian country vanished away long ago. The steps we take
in the foreign policy should consider development of our own state.

– Still, what does Armenia think of getting involved in a common
structure with Azerbaijan?

– If we coexisted alongside Azerbaijan in the Soviet Union why can’t
we do the same in the structure of NATO?

– Last events within the frameworks of Cooperation for Peace
Initiative do not promise a hopeful future.

– I am sure that the 3 Caucasian states should join the NATO
simultaneously. It is the guarantee for a lasting peaceful
coexistence for them. And the war-battered region will get the chance
of settling its conflicts.

– In his recent interview to Mediamax news agency NATO Secretary
General said that he sees readiness of deepening relations with NATO
in Armenia. What parties (organizations) besides yours support NATO in
Armenia?

– The Ministry of Defense and highest political circles of the country
are negotiating with NATO.

– Will you meet the Secretary General during his visit in Armenia?

– I knew the former Secretary well enough but have never met with the
new one. Our meeting depends on his willingness.

By Karine Danielian