NATO PA DELEGATION’S MEETING IN PARLIAMENT
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
June 13 2006
On June 12 the delegation of the NATO PA Subcommittee on Democratic
Governance and (CDSDG) Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence
Capabilities (DSCFC) met with the Armenian delegation in NATO PA.
Welcoming the guests Mher Shahgeldyan, Head of the Armenian delegation,
highlighted Armenia- NATO partnership, observing it as the most
important component of the regional security. In Armenia-NATO
relationship Armenia’s participation in the Individual Partnership
Actions Plan was highlighted. Mher Shahgeldyan noted that along
with the development of democracy and establishing peace in the
region Armenia tries to more increase the democratic control and
transparency in the spheres of defense and security. The development
of parliamentarism in Armenia was highlighted. It was noted that
Armenia is seeking in intensifying the parliamentary control toward
the security sphere. The development of Armenia-NATO PA relationship
Mr. Shahgeldyan sees in a number of directions: security, civil
defense, antiterrorist fighting, development of democracy, etc. In
this context the role and importance of the parliamentary diplomacy
was highlighted.
Touching upon Armenia-Turkey relations, Mr. Shahgeldyan noted that
Armenia repeatedly stated about the readiness of beginning relations
without any preconditions.
Vahit Erdem (Turkey), Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Future Security
and Defence Capabilities, noted that during its history NATO with
its structure and peculiarity proved that can create opportunities
for the countries having key problem, in particular, bringing as an
example the development of the relations between Turkey and Greece. It
was noted that NATO continues the policy of open doors. He noted that
Turkey is ready to develop the relations with Armenia, and it’s not
conditioned by the solutions of the conflicts. In Turkey they find
that in the 21st century we should look at the future, not – at the
past, we should develop the relations coming from the centuries,
restoring the friendship.
During the meeting of Frank Crump, Deputy Head of the OSCE office in
Yerevan, Carel Hofstra, politico-military officer, OSCE office in
Yerevan, Varuzhan Nersisyan, OSCE Division head of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs issues concerning the regional conflicts and Black
Sea regional cooperation were discussed. The OSCE representatives
introduced the programs implementing in Armenia in the directions of
human rights and democratization, military-political and environmental,
economic security.
Varuzhan Nersisyan touched upon the problem of Karabakh conflict,
presenting Armenia’s official position and the current stage of the
negotiation process. The sides noted the establishment of tolerance
important, considering unacceptable the war-like calls, the campaign
of war and hatred.
Other issues of bilateral interest were also discussed during the
meeting.