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Armenia's National Security Strategy Outlined By Minister

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  • Armenia's National Security Strategy Outlined By Minister

    ARMENIA'S NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY OUTLINED BY MINISTER

    Yerkir website, Yerevan
    22 Mar 06

    An Armenian newspaper published a national security strategy on 22
    March. The strategy, which is now being discussed by parliament,
    was outlined in a wide-ranging address to senior commanders by the
    defence minister in February. The minister said that relations with
    Russia are "the cornerstone of Armenia's security". He also talked
    about relations with Iran, NATO, the USA, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The
    following is an excerpt from report by the Armenian newspaper Yerkir
    website on 22 March; subheadings have been inserted editorially:

    The secretary of the National Security Council, Armenian Defence
    Minister, Serzh Sarkisyan delivered this report to his commanders on
    16 February 2005 [as reported, presumably 2006].

    [Passage omitted: Cold war comes to an end; Armenia involved in
    regional and international projects, Armenia sees integration through
    democracy, constitutional reforms, institutional reforms, economic
    reforms as its priority, international developments impact on Armenia]

    Armenia is taking measures to safeguard itself from regional
    threats. We support the establishment of regional cooperation and
    constructive relations with other countries and the creation of
    security systems.

    Regional conflicts, especially the Nagornyy Karabakh one, should be
    resolved legally. We should prevent the resumption of hostilities
    and overcome disagreements in the region.

    [Passage omitted: Different problems exist in the region and they
    can be solved]

    Armenian-Georgian relations

    Armenian-Georgian relations are of strategic importance to our country.

    [Passage omitted: Georgia, owning to its geographical position,
    plays the role of mediator between Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan]

    Destabilization of the political situation in Georgia will put
    Armenia's economic and communication links with the outside world
    in danger but ethnic intolerance can create an anti-Armenian mood in
    Georgia caused by the migration of Armenians from Samtskhe-Javakheti.

    [Passage omitted: Armenia wants to see a stable Georgia]

    Georgian-Turkish and Georgian-Azerbaijani joint programmes in
    the spheres of the economy, communications and the military are
    aimed at breaking the balance in the region and keeping Armenia in
    isolation. In this regard, the project for the construction of the
    Kars-Akhalkalaki railway would undermine Armenian interests in the
    region. This project has been directed against the Gyumri-Kars railway
    project and is aimed at destroying its strategic importance.

    Such programmes instigated by Turkey and Azerbaijan meet Georgia's
    national security interests. However, Armenia has been trying to
    involve Georgia in the Sukhumi-Tbilisi railway which is of strategic
    importance to Armenia. On the other hand, Armenia is trying to restart
    the Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway to neutralize the danger of economic
    isolation. This programme plays an important role in terms of lifting
    the regional blockade and Armenia will continue its efforts towards
    its implementation.

    Armenian-Georgian relations are important also in terms of mutual
    interests because the geographical positions of the two countries
    provide an opportunity for economic and communication links between
    Armenia, Russia and Europe, as well as between Georgia, Iran and the
    Middle East. Moreover, both Armenia and Georgia are in favour of a
    peaceful solution to regional conflicts, in order to ensure national
    and regional security in the region.

    Despite differences over methods of implementation, both countries
    prefer to develop through European integration. There is almost
    no practical cooperation between the two countries in the military
    sphere. But both sides realize that military cooperation between the
    two countries is also mutually beneficial in terms of strategy.

    Armenia is taking steps to revive contacts with Georgia in this
    sphere. During the Armenian president's visit to Georgia in 2004,
    an official statement was made that the two countries had reached an
    agreement in principle on establishing military-diplomatic relations
    at the level of military attache.

    [Passage omitted: Armenian-Georgian cooperation ensures security in
    the South Caucasus region]

    Armenian-Iranian relations

    Armenian-Iranian relations are important in terms of maintaining
    the military-political balance and stability in the region. Having a
    great economic, military and cultural potential, Iran is conducting an
    independent foreign policy. Iran plays a significant role in shaping
    the military-political situation in the region, and is competing with
    Turkey in the economic and political fields.

    At the same time, Turkey, as a member of NATO and a close ally of
    the USA and Israel, is described by Iran as a threat to the national
    security of the country. A contest between Turkey and Iran ensures a
    certain balance in the region and in this regard, Armenian-Iranian
    cooperation has been aimed at neutralizing anti-Armenian policy
    carried out by the Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance.

    Iranian-Armenian cooperation is mainly of an economic and cultural
    nature. There is considerable progress, especially in the economic and
    energy spheres. A number of energy programmes have been drawn up and
    are being implemented. The main goals are to create alternative energy
    resources in Armenia. In order to neutralize the implications of the
    economic and communication blockade of Armenia, Iran provides links
    between Armenia, Asia and the Middle East, as well as with Russia.

    Moreover Iran, which is closer to the hotbed of the Nagornyy Karabakh
    conflict, conducts a balanced policy regarding the settlement of the
    conflict. Undoubtedly, Azerbaijan puts pressure on Iran, which is
    dangerous to Armenia. Iran being a Muslim country plays an important
    role in supporting the Muslims and has a significant influence on
    Muslim countries. By using this argument, Azerbaijan describes the
    Nagornyy Karabakh conflict as a religious problem and tries to benefit
    from the so called "one million Muslim refugees" factor. In order to
    put pressure on Iran, Azerbaijan threatens Iran that it would assist
    the USA in a possible war between the USA and Iran. The pressure may
    force Iran to change its balanced position.

    To ensure a balanced relationship with Iran, Armenia is trying to
    neutralize this threat. At the same time, our relations with the USA
    are not in conflict with the Iranian interests. Strategic relations
    with Iran are a significant part of our foreign policy aimed at
    establishing a favourable climate between Armenia and the Muslim world.

    [Passage omitted: Armenian-Iranian consultations are also important,
    in order to prevent the above-mentioned threats]

    Armenian-Turkish-Azerbaijani relations

    The settlement of the Armenian-Turkish problem is one of the topical
    issues in the region.

    [Passage omitted: relations between Armenia and Turkey have a negative
    impact on regional cooperation; Turkey refuses to recognize the
    Armenian genocide. Turkey tries to resolve the Nagornyy Karabakh
    conflict in favour of Azerbaijan]

    Tension between Armenia and Turkey is also caused by regional
    programmes implemented by Turkey, including the Baku-Ceyhan oil
    pipeline, Baku- Erzurum gas pipeline, the Kars Akhalkalaki railway
    project, etc, all without Armenia's involvement.

    [Passage omitted: Turkey's membership of the European Union should
    be made conditional on relations with its neighbours, as well as
    with Armenia]

    There are no relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan because of the
    Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. The frozen nature of the Nagornyy Karabakh
    problem and Azerbaijan's policy regarding the Karabakh conflict have
    been threatening Armenia's national security.

    [Passage omitted: Azerbaijan makes statements about resolving the
    Nagornyy Karabakh conflict militarily]

    Armenian-NATO relations

    Armenian-NATO relations play an important role in ensuring the
    national security of Armenia. Armenia has chosen the path of European
    development, therefore, relations with NATO will be developed in
    parallel with the European integration processes.

    The development of cooperation with NATO proceeds from the need
    to ensure Armenia's national security and Armenia will continue to
    implement joint programmes with NATO.

    Armenian-NATO relations have reached a new level over the last few
    years. This is caused not only by Armenia's desire, but also by the
    adoption of new policies by NATO, as well as by decisions to involve
    the South Caucasus in NATO's strategic interests and develop individual
    relations with partner states.

    [Passage omitted: Armenia cooperates with NATO within the framework
    of Planning and Review Process and Individual Partnership Action Plan,
    Armenia also cooperates with European countries]

    Armenian-Russian relations

    Armenian-Russian relations are of a strategic nature and are the
    cornerstone of Armenia's security.

    These relations arise from the strategic interests of the two
    countries. These interests cover all spheres of cooperation between
    the two countries, which are reflected in 160 bilateral agreements. It
    is important that we have cooperation in all spheres.

    Of course, the military and military-technical sphere is an essential
    part of strategic cooperation between Armenia and Russia. In general,
    the following are the main directions of military cooperation between
    Armenia and Russia:

    - ensuring the military and military-technical needs of the Armenian
    armed forces.

    - ensuring the balance between forces in the region.

    Armenian-Russian military cooperation is being carried out in three
    directions:

    - coalition grouping

    - united air defence system

    - cooperation within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty
    Organization [CSTO].

    Armenian-Russian military cooperation, especially the deployment of
    the Russian military bases on the territory of Armenia are aimed at
    neutralizing the military threat from Turkey.

    [Passage omitted: The CIS CSTO is ensuring the military-political
    balance in the region and Armenian-Russian military cooperation is
    not to the detriment of other countries]

    Relations with USA

    Cooperation with the USA is of paramount importance to Armenia in
    terms of establishing a democratic country and ensuring national
    security. The USA plays an important role in international and
    regional processes.

    [Passage omitted: Armenia has involved in programmes of the US
    Millennium Challenge Corporation and Armenian-US relations have
    developed in political, economic, cultural an so on spheres as well]

    The Armenian armed forces benefit both militarily and politically
    from the military cooperation with the USA as this helps it strengthen
    the state of combat readiness

    [Passage omitted: The Armenian diaspora in the USA plays an important
    role in the development of relations between Armenia and the USA;
    Armenia will continue to develop relations with the USA in future;
    the strategy of pan-Armenian integration]

    [The new strategy was also mentioned by Armenian Public TV "Aylur"
    news 1700 gmt 21 March 06 in item 5]
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