DIPLOMACY – SUCCESSION OF POSSIBLE MOVES
Nane Makuchyan

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| 14:38:37 | 01-10-2005 | Politics |

This is the opinion of head of the department of political programming
Sarmen Baghdarasyan. Any work targeted at the elaboration of foreign
political trajectory starts usually in this department.

-How many poles of forces to lead complimentary policy with does
official Yerevan see at present?

-Complimentarity does not imply the essential presence of various
poles. We should support this policy towards all the countries that
show interest in our republic.

-Do these interests cross within our state?

-Certainly politics is the presence of contradictory positions. But
there are problems of common nature and they cannot hinder cooperation.

-Do you have the possibility to separate contradictory and reconcilable
interests in order to unite the positive ones.

-The complimentary policy pursued by our state should be viewed
in the context of international global processes. For example,
many countries have different attitude towards Iran though all are
unanimous on stability.

Common issues are peace and stability, anti-terror processes, poverty
reduction, etc. The realization of these objectives by common efforts
implies complimentary policy. We should cooperate with all the forces
under the circumstances that coincide with our own foreign political
interests.

-What priorities do we have?

-First of all it is the consolidation of the economic element. What
does it mean? The settlement of energy issues, establishment of
communications, foreign trade and investments. Then comes the
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and relations with our
neighbors followed by the relations with Turkey and the Armenian
Genocide recognition. Membership in various international structures
is as well important.

-Do you think complimentary policy is the absence of orientation?

-I can say it a multi-vectorial orientation. It means that we will
speak out against any initiative that will draw a separating line
not only between the states of the regions but also before the states
adjacent to the region.

Complimentarity is a working principle. It means that we should become
a reliable and predictable partner, capable of attracting investments
and cooperation.

-Can we say that Armenia has not oriented itself precisely yet over
the geopolitical processes within the country.

-Yes, of course.

-Can we mark out any positive results achieved via the complimentary
policy?

-These are several security lines including Armenia-Russia,
RA-CSTO member-states, RA-NATO. From economic viewpoint it is energy
cooperation with Russia and Iran, transport cooperation with Georgia,
stimulation of trade and investments with the U.S. The list can
be continued.

-Is the European Union the final goal of Armenia or adoption of
European values is enough?

-Europe did not invite us to join its union. We cooperate with it
to adapt to the European system of values. I do not rule out that we
can join the EU.