ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
February 24, 2005 Thursday 11:29 AM Eastern Time
Armenia’s ties with NATO not to aggravate relations with Russia
By Tigran Liloyan
Robert Simons, the NATO Secretary-General’s special envoy on South
Caucasus and Central Asia, believes that Armenia’s relations with
NATO will not aggravate the country’s good relations with Russia.
Simons said that NATO was encouraging Armenia’s ties with Russia and
other countries, irrespective of their membership of whatever
international organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) or the CIS.
The special envoy noted that he had informed the Armenian leadership
during Thursday’s talks in Yerevan about the recent NATO summit in
Brussels and the reforms that were being pursued in the alliance.
Simons said that Armenia sought to support NATO’s international
efforts, especially in struggle against terrorism. He thanked the
Armenian side for backing America’s undertakings, especially in
Kosovo and Iraq.