ARMENIA STANDS GOOD CHANCE TO GAIN POLITICAL WEIGHT IN THE REGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.12.2008 15:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia’s new defense concept states that Moscow views
the CSTO as a key tool to maintain stability and security throughout
the CIS, an Armenian expert said.

"The CSTO will become the basis for allied relations. This choice is
quite understandable, given Russia’s leading role in the Organization,"
Sergei Sargsyan, an expert at Spectrum strategic analysis center told
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"As to Armenia, despite the perspective to develop relations with NATO,
the CSTO is the only bloc where the republic acts as a full-fledged
member. Armenia’s membership in the CSTO is one the major factors
determining efficiency if its armed forces. It allows Armenia to buy
military equipment and armament at a moderate price," he said.

Armenia stands a good chance to gain political weight in the region,
according to Sargsyan.

Commenting on the possibility of resumption of hostilities in Nagorno
Karabakh, he said, "I do not think that hostilities will go beyond
the borders of the former Azeri SSR. However, Armenia will receive
assistance from Russia while other CSTO member states will apparently
take a neutral stand, owing to economic reasons."