NATO PINES HOPES WITH ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS AS METHOD OF RAPPROCHEMENT WITH ARMENIA
ArmInfo
2009-10-13 12:44:00
ArmInfo. NATO pins hopes with Armenian-Turkish relations as method
of rapprochement with Armenia and welcomes the Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement initiative, Zbigniew Rybacki, NATO/PFP Liaison Officer
in the South Caucasus, told media on Tuesday.
He said that Armenia-NATO cooperation develops rather actively on a
number of programs. However, there is still a stereotype of negative
attitude to NATO in Armenia inherited from the Soviet past. Z.
Rubacki believes that warming in the relations of Armenia and Turkey
will increase the opportunities of NATO in the country.
In addition, he said, Armenia is a strategic partner of Russia,
which NATO has no warm relations with. Armenia has already made an
important step towards Turkey, a NATO member-state. NATO/PFP Liaison
Officer hopes the negative attitude to NATO will change in Armenia
in due course. Armenia-NATO cooperation develops in compliance
with Armenia-NATO IPAP signed in December 2005. Participation in
IPAP suggests regular consultations with NATO on regional security,
development of the security strategy and military doctrine of Armenia.
Armenia and Turkey signed the "Protocol on the establishment
of diplomatic relations" and the "Protocol on the development of
bilateral relations" in Zurich on October 10. To come into effect
the protocols must be submitted to the respective Parliaments for
the ratification on each side. Armenia and Turkey have no diplomatic
relations and their border was closed in 1993 by Ankara.
From: Baghdasarian