RA FM: ARMS RACE CAN LEAD TO RESUMPTION OF MILITARY CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2008 14:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia is interested in continued cooperation
within the OSCE in all dimensions, Armenian Foreign Minister said.

"In human dimension we are ready to continue constructive cooperation
with the OSCE/ODIHR, yet at the same time we support the re-evaluation
of the role of the ODHIR and a higher level of its accountability
before the member states. We are ready to work with all interested
member states in this direction. We are prepared to work towards
developing a more consolidated approach in economic-environmental
dimension in order to ensure its continuity and sustainability,"
Minister Edward Nalbandian said in his address to the OSCE Ministerial
Council.

"We note the importance of the dialogue on the OSCE political-military
dimension. Conventional arms control is an issue of primary
importance. The situation in our region makes the maintenance of the
Conventional Arms Control Treaty more imperative. Full implementation
of commitments is crucial for the security and stability of the area
of application. Regrettably, Azerbaijan’s massive military build-up
conducted in violation of its international obligations has not
received an adequate reaction from the majority of the state parties
of the Convention.

"An arms race can lead to a resumption of a military conflict. The
situation becomes somehow classic – if there is a gun on the stage, it
has to fire. Europe obviously needs a new security architecture, which
will take into account all the existing concerns. With this in mind,
we think that a debate over a European security treaty can provide
a good forum for the development of a commonly acceptable system.

"That is why we support the proposal by Presidents of France and
Russia regarding the convening of a summit to launch the negotiations
on the implementation of the initiative to develop a European Security
Treaty," he said.