NATO cannot force Armenian-Turkish cooperation – alliance official

Arminfo, Yerevan
15 Mar 07

A senior NATO official has ruled out this body’s particular role in
improving Armenian-Turkish relations, Arminfo news agency has
reported.

At a news conference held in Yerevan on 15 March, Director of the
Defence Partnership and Cooperation Directorate of NATO’s Defence
Planning and Operations Division George Katsirdakis said: " NATO
cannot have any other role in this issue, but call for friendship. We
cannot force friendship."

He expressed his own opinion that the improvement of Armenian-Turkish
relations would be in favour of the region, Arminfo added.

"It would simplify the region’s life and reduce problems," Katsirdakis
said. The NATO official expressed his hope that the two countries’
politicians would find a solution to the problem.