HRAYR KARAPETIAN: ARMENIA IS CONCERNED WITH RELATIONS OF CSTO MEMBER COUNTRIES WITH AZERBAIJAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 25, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Being CSTO member is in Armenia’s
interests but Armenian politicians are concerned with CSTO member
countries’ relations with Azerbaijan. RA NA ARFD faction member Hrayr
Karapetian stated at a November 25 press conference. He mentioned
that the RF and Azeri Defence Ministers have signed an agreement on
expansion of military cooperation lately. The ARFD figure said that
there was no need to sign such an agreement with a state which is
not a CSTO member and besides, constantly makes bellicose statements.

According to H. Karapetian, if Russia considers Georgian President
Mikheil Saakashvili an "unsteady figure" it can also treat the same
way Azeri President Ilham Aliyev who is known for aggressive attitude
to the Armenians.

Besides, as H. Karapetian added, Russia deepens its relations with
Turkey, which in the future can affect the activities of both NATO and
CSTO. In his words, the Russian-Turkish relations become closer while
Turkey is still a threat for Armenia’s security. In H. Karapetian’s
affirmation, the Turks continue implementing their old Pan-Turkist
plan. "That is why Turkey conditions its relations with one country
by a third country’s interests: a phenomenon which is not accepted
in international practice," the deputy mentioned.

According to H. Karapetian, Armenia’s other concern is that a number
of NATO member countries constantly arm Azerbaijan. In his words,
NATO’s leadership should not permit such a thing for the Armenia-NATO
partnership to expand, to develop and not to be formal.