"NO QUESTION IS LEFT ASIDE"
A1+
27 June, 2008
The Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) signed between Armenia
and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation requires to "guarantee
freedom of press, expression and rallies."
On June 27 Jean-Francois Bureau, NATO Assistant Secretary General
for Public Diplomacy, met Armenian journalists.
In reply to A1+’s question how the NATO treats the Armenian
authorities’ rejection to the opposition rallies, Mr. Bureau said,
"We strongly believe that the Armenia-NATO relations will still
deepen with regard to protection of human rights, freedom of press
and progress of democracy. The commitments Armenia assumed within
the framework of the Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO
include ensuring democratic freedoms in the country. We realize that
the Armenian authorities still have to work long in the direction of
ensuring full democratic freedoms. I see that Armenia’s authorities
are willing to further the relations. The willingness was also felt
in Brussels. The Foreign Ministers expressed readiness to strengthen
the cooperation. Generally, the deeper the relations are, the more
available the information will be."
Asked whether the right to rallies stipulated by the IPAP is not
breached in Armenia, Mr. Bureau said, "We think there is still much to
be done in this respect. We have had a discussion with the ministers
and their voiced readiness. We shall see to the commitment of the
IPAP recommendations."
In reply to A1+’s question whether the March 1 occurrences affected
the Armenia-NATO relations, Mr. Bureau said: "The question was raised
during a May meeting. It was discussed by the delegations and the
representatives of ministries. I must say that the discussions are
open. No question regarding democracy can be left aside."
The NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy assured the
presentees that the organisation cooperates with all South Caucasian
countries and welcomes all proposals which will enhance regional
partnership. "We know that all countries of the region face some
problems but the NATO aims to maintain peace and stability in the
region," said Mr. Bureau.