PanARMENIAN.Net

Close cooperation with Russia is Armenia’s security guarantor
11.05.2007 14:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the near future Armenia’s foreign line will be
seriously challenged, Ruben Safrastyan, Director of the Institute of
Oriental Studies at the RA National Academy of Sciences of Armenia,
told a news conference in Yerevan.

`Complementary policy has already been exhausted and Armenia should be
build relations with other states proceeding from its own interests.
Regional processes will sooner or later influence on Armenia and we
should be ready for reciprocal diplomatic moves.

Ankara’s foreign policy targeted at formation of a military and
strategic alliance between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan is to cut
Armenia off all regional development programs.

The other factor is NATO’s enlargement to the South Caucasus. With
receiving a status of NATO aspirant country, Georgia will strengthen
ties with Turkey.

The third factor is the Iranian problem. To be more correct, the
U.S. policy towards Iran’s nuclear file. Hostilities will have grave
consequences for the region,’ Safrastyan said.

Mr Safrastyan is convinced in necessity of coordination of diplomatic
steps and enablement of strong points of Armenia’s foreign policy.
`Close cooperation with Russia is one of Armenia’s strongest points.
The Armenia-Russia military and strategic cooperation is the guarantor
of our security. The 102nd Russian military base is a restraining
factor for Turkey. As you remember, in 1992 the Turkish army was
planning to intrude into Armenia and only the statement by Russian
Defense Minister Yergeny Shaposhnikov, who said, `Any encroachment on
Armenia will give a start to World War III,’ made Turkey abandon its
intentions,’ Safrastyan underscored.