"WE ARE CONCERNED OVER NATO’S EASTWARD EXPANSION"

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[05:40 pm] 03 October, 2008

"Russia is not worried about Armenia’s warm relations with the North
Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)," RF Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov said in Yerevan today in reply to a journalist.

Minister Lavron added that they actively collaborate with the NATO
and see no menace from an organisation which struggles against global
challenges with Russia’s partners.

"But we are seriously concerned over NATO’s artificial expansion to
the East which is not grounded and has nothing to do with the real
challenges," said the Russian FM.

Note, it is the fourth time the Armenian and Russian FMs have met
over the past five years. The parties emphasized the urgency of
resolving the Karabakh conflict through peaceful negotiations. The
recent outbreak of the Russian-Georgian war has proved that the
regulation of any conflict by force is doomed to failure," said Lavrov.

With regard to Turkey’s initiative to create a Cooperation and
Stability Platform in the Caucasus, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said
"it aims to ensure stability in the region and promote partnership
between regional countries."

"No one will doubt that we support the initiative but still there are
some issues to be discussed regarding mechanisms, activity, format
and key actors. The negotiations have just started and it is still
too early to speak about the outcome. Nevertheless, the Armenian side
welcomes any initiative aimed at strengthening regional security and
stability," said Minister Nalbandian.

Sergey Lavrov also welcomed any step directed to enhancing humanitarian
collaboration.

The Russian FM also spoke about commodity circulation between the
two countries saying that they are pleased with the partnership in
all spheres. The Russian investments in Armenia have mounted to 1.3
billion dollars. Trade between Armenia and Russia has gone up by 20
percent over the past few months, Lavrov noted.