Armenia does not Seek to Join NATO

The Journal of Turkish Weekly
Dec 20 2004

Armenian Defense Minister: “Accession to NATO isn’t on current agenda
of Armenia”

JTW Staff, 20 December 2004

The accession to NATO is not on the current foreign political agenda
of Armenia, Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisyan said at Friday debates
organized by the Public Dialog and Development Center, Russian News
Agency Itar-Tass reported.

“At the same time, Armenia is realistic about regional security. It
does not make premature statements but develops cooperation with
the North Atlantic Alliance step by step. In this light relations
with NATO have a serious role in the provision of Armenian security”
added Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisyan.

Armenia mainly based its security on co-operation with Russian
Federation while Georgia and Azerbaijan develop close relations
with the United States and Europe. Armenia also has serious border
problems with Azerbaijan and NATO member Turkey. About 20 percent
of Azerbaijani territories is under Armenian invasion occupation,
and international organizations ask Armenia to withdraw its forces
from the occupied territories.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress