“For NATO Caucasus is a territory of strategic importance,” the message from George Robertson published on the eve of his visit reads. The Head of the Alliance has stressed that “Armenia plays an active role both in practical cooperation and in the context of a political dialogue”. “The North Atlantic Alliance does not claim to a leading role in peacemaking processes in the region. This responsibility should be undertaken first of all by the Southern Caucasus countries. But the Alliance, undoubtedly, is ready to support the efforts aimed at strengthening of peace in the region”, Robertson notes.
Secretary General is scheduled to meet with President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Margaryan, and Minister of Defense Serzh Sarkisian. Issues concerning regional problems and the consequences of Iraqi war will be discussed during the meetings. (Further programs of the alliance in the Near East region interest Armenia first of all in the context of the neighborhood with Iran and the friendly relations with Syria). NATO Secretary General will discuss with the leaders of Armenia also the issues of the NATO’s support to the preparation of an Armenian peacemaking division which is getting ready for participation in the mission of maintenance of peace in the Balkans within the structure of a Greek battalion. Apart from the official meetings, Lord Robertson is also scheduled to hold a meeting with the professors and students of the French University. Secretary General will leave for Baku today evening.
The negotiations in Yerevan will mainly focus on the forthcoming Cooperative Best Effort-2003 maneuvers aimed at development of cooperation between the forces of light infantry during the multi-national operation with participation of the NATO member-countries and partners. Military men from 16 countries including Russia are expected to participate in the trainings. Head of the external relations department of the Ministry of Defense Michael Melkonyan said that Moscow’s decision to participate in the NATO trainings is because they are being held on the territory of Armenia – its strategic partner. We shall remind that Russia was not participating in the similar trainings held in Georgia last year. This time only Azerbaijan has refused to participate in the Cooperative Best Effort-2003 maneuvers.
After long-time hesitations, Turkey finally decided to send a small group of officers to Armenia. Not everybody in Yerevan is happy to have Turkish military men here. However, Defense Minister of Armenia Serzh Sarkisian does not see anything infringing the national dignity. On the contrary, he finds such cooperation rather important. “Let us imagine that a militaryzed terrorist grouping constituting a threat both for Armenia and Turkey has appeared in the region. In such cases I am ready to cooperate with Turkey,” the Minister said.
The trainings will become the first large joint arrangement after Armenia’s becoming associate member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The political leaders of Armenia have frequently said that strengthening of the cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance does not mean that Yerevan is going to become member of the alliance. Meanwhile, the Associated Press has included Armenia in the list of countries trying to become NATO members. The list includes also Kazakhstan, Albania and Kroatia.
