ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: ARMENIA ATTEMPTS TO BRING RELATIONS WITH NATO TO NEW LEVEL, NOT PUTTING ISSUE OF MEMBERSHIP TO NATO ON AGENDA
Noyan Tapan
May 24 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia does not oppose cooperation
with the CIS, European Union, NATO or Collective Security Treaty
Organization. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian stated about it
during the internet conference of the “Azg” (nation) newspaper.
One of readers mentioned: “One of the main reasons of Artur
Baghdasarian’s leaving the coalition was his statement concerning our
country’s orientation towards the European Union. Are you against
such an orientation and deepening cooperation with the NATO and
EU?” In responce, A.Margarian stated that the authorities of Armenia,
including the Government, are not against the cooperation with the
NATO as Armenia was involved in the European Union’s New Neighborhood
Policy program, presented the National Actions Plan of implementation
of the RA-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Besides, Armenia
cooperates with the NATO at present as well, the Indivudual Partnership
Actions Plan with that structure was adopted. “So, we never oppose
the CIS, European Union, NATO or Collective Security Treaty member
countries and have mentioned many times that in its foreign policy
Armenia is led by the principle of mutual supplement and builds a
multifoliated system of securing the safety,” the RA Prime Minister
emphasized.
According to him, since the first years of independence the Republic
of Armenia has gone on the way of the European integration what
does not yet mean to join the European Union or become a member of
the NATO. “Our state at least has no such priorities in its foreign
policy. Thus, Armenia observes development of relations with the
NATO as an important component of the European integration policy and
makes an attempt to bring its relations with that alliance to a new
qualitative level, not putting the issue of membership to the NATO on
the agenda of the foreign policy.” A.Margarian also mentioned that
at present Armenia’s relations with the NATO “develop woderfully”
as Armenia actively participates in all the regional programs of the
NATO and does not yeild neighbors of the region in the sense of the
level of relations with the Euro-Atlantic Alliance. “Armenia always
supports development of the regional cooperation within the framework
of the Partnership for Peace program and protects all the steps taken
by the NATO in this direction,” the Prime Minister stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
