ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: COOPERATION WITH NATO IS ONE OF IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF MULTIFOLIATED SECURITY SYSTEM OF ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 23 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues relating
to implementation of the Individual Partnership Actions Plan of
Armenia with the NATO were discussed at the May 22 meeting of RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian with Robert Simmons, the NATO Secretary’s
General Special Representative for South Caucasian Issues. Observing
development of relations with the NATO within the framework of the
policy addressed to Armenia’s European integration, the Prime Minister
mentioned at the same time that the cooperation with the North Atlantic
Alliance is also one of important components of the multifoliated
security system of Armenia. Within that context, Andranik Margarian
attached importance to widening of Armenia’s political dialogue
with the NATO and reforms in the system of defence. The Government
head of Armenia assured that they will be implemented in parallel to
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, improvement of the general
security situation in the region and especially of the Armenian-Turkish
relations. The Prime Minister emphasized that by that cooperation,
Armenia has never contradicted different systems of security to
each other and has acted in the field of mutual benefit and mutual
interests. Presenting the process of activity of the Committee created
in November, 2004, by the RA Prime Minister’s decision to implement
the Individual Partnership Actions Plan with the NATO, Andranik
Margarian mentioned that after adopting the program on December 16,
2005, by the North Atlantic Alliance, it has already held three working
meetings. The Committee members prepared certificates concerning works
implemented after adoption of the IPAP, planned events and lists of
assistances necessary for their implementation were presented.

Robert Simmons, expressing satisfaction with the process of works
being implemented, emphasized that the NATO’s interest in the
successful implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan
with Armenia, especially from the viewpoint of great attention paid
by the alliance towards the South Caucasian region during the recent
years. He considered his appointment as well to be one of displays
of that attention and interest. The Actions Plan adopted in December,
according to Robert Simmons, was a big step forward of the cooperation
with Armenia and expresses Armenia’s interests, assisting reforms
in the military sphere and strengthening of democracy. Simmons
also emphasized that the NATO has always specially mentioned that
it welcomes widening of the Euroatlantic cooperation and does
not observe it as rivalry with other systems. He mentioned the
necessity of organizing soon a wide public awareness process to have
a right notion concerning NATO activity, goals. The NATO Secretary’s
General Speacial Representative thanked the RA Government’s head
for keeping the work of the interdepartmental commission in the
center of attention and for organizing works at a high level. He
spoke favourably about the Armenian Ambassador’s work in Brussels as
well. “Though the visit hasn’t finished yet, but I can say that the
results are rather impressing. A considerable progress was fixed in
the joint work during the last six months,” Robert Simmons mentioned,
emphasizing that this is a process, that continuous efforts must be
made to reach defined goals which, according to him, coincide with
program goals of Armenia with the EU. As Noyan Tapan was informed
by the Government’s Information and Public Relations Department,
the Prime Minister assured that Armenia will continue assisting all
efforts of the NATO which will be addressed to development of the
constructive dialogue, development of the regional cooperation among
the South Caucasian states. He assured that from now on the Government
of Armenia will follow with attention implementation of the Individual
Partnership Actions Plan as well as of aimed events presented within
that framework by interested ministries and departments, expecting
expert’s and technical assistance of the NATO international staff
and member countries as well in it.