COOPERATION WITH NATO IS ONE OF MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF ARMENIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 28, 2009
YEREVAN

RA President Serzh Sargsyan receiving Ambassador, NATO Deputy
Secretary General Claudio Bisogniero on April 28, said that the
European direction remains one of the priorities of Armenia’s foreign
policy, and cooperation with NATO is one of its most important
elements. He considered cooperation with NATO within the framework
of the Partnership for Peace program as a component of Armenia’s
national security.

Claudio Bisogniero, in his turn, said that they are content with the
progress recorded in various spheres of NATO-Armenia partnership so
far. He highly assessed the reforms carried out in the defence sphere,
as well as Armenia’s participation in a number of programs implemented
within the framework of NATO, in particular, in the directions of
fighting international terrorism, peacekeeing mission, and others.

According to the report of the RA President’s Press Office,
the interlocutors also exchanged thoughts over issues of ensuring
security and stability in the region. S. Sargsyan considered important
settlement of current conflicts and problems for improving the
security environment.

C. Bisogniero said that NATO welcomes the Armenian-Turkish dialogue
and progress recorded in that direction. As to the Nagorno Karabakh
settlement, he said that though NATO is not directly involved in that
process, it attentively follows those developments and welcomes any
effort that will lead to problem’s peaceful solution.

The sides held the same opinion that the conflict should be solved
in accordance with all principles of international law: no principle
can dominate or work at the expense of another.