DECISION ON SETTING UP CSTO RAPID-REACTION FORCES REFLECTS ARMENIA’S SECURITY STRATEGY PRIORITIES
armradio.am
05.02.2009 14:55
Commandant of the Institute for National Strategic Studies of the
Armenian Ministry of Defense, Major-General Hayk Kotanjian commented on
the decision singed in Moscow on the establishment of rapid-reaction
forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in an
interview with Armenpress agency.
Asked about the importance of the decision on setting up rapid-reaction
forces of the CSTO adopted in Moscow for Armenia’s national security,
Mr. Kotanjian responded: "This decision reflects both the national
security strategy priorities of Armenia and other CSTO countries and
the collective security of the Organization as a whole.
"The decision made at the summit creates a political, contractual-legal
and military ground for collectively resisting aggression against
any CSTO member state. Taking into consideration the sad experience
of the war in South Ossetia last August, the formation of a real
mechanism is an additional guarantee to deter those who wish to
solve the Karabakh issue in a military way. The establishment of
the military component of the CSTO, which includes also elements of
other law-enforcement services, will allow raising the efficiency of
collective struggle against international terrorism, drug trafficking,
natural and technical disasters," the Commandant of the Institute
for National Strategic Studies said.
Are there any precedents of such decisions in the system of global
and regional security? "The CSTO decision on the establishment of
coalition forces evidences the dynamism of its development using the
best international experience, including that of NATO. This decision
actually reflects the principle of collective responsibility of all
member states, which effectively functions also in the system of the
Euro-Atlantic Alliance," Major-General Hayk Kotanjian stated.
Commenting on whether this decision coincides with Armenia’s
complimentary policy, Hayk Kotanjian said: "As usual Armenia
demonstrates strong adherence to its commitments on national and
international arenas. Assuming the presidency of the CSTO and having
successfully conducted "Rubezh 2008," "Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 08"
and "Brave Lynx" military exercises of international scale, Armenia
stands out for reliability in its political and security cooperation
with all partners in both bilateral and multilateral formats."