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SERZH SARGSYAN: ARMENIA JOINING NATO IS "NOT ON THE AGENDA"
armradio.am
11.11.2008 11:40
The President of Armenia, Mr. Serzh Sargsyan gave an interview to
the Euronews. The full text of the interview is presented below:
Euronews: President Sargsyan, what were and what are the consequences
for Armenia of the Georgian crisis?
Serzh Sargsyan: First of all, the Armenian economy has suffered greatly
because of this crisis, because 70 per cent of Armenia's trade passes
through Georgia. We have been neighbours with Georgia for thousands
of years, and with that comes certain responsibility. Personally,
I am happy that the crisis has not damaged our relations. Certainly,
we are also strategic partners with Russia, and that brings other
responsibilities and duties. Responsibilities between neighbours are
not the same as those as between strategic partners, and then you
have to take into account the national interest.
Euronews: According to you, should NATO play a role in the Caucasus?
Sargsyan: Yes, and that is why we in Armenia have a programme of
co-operation with NATO. That is why Armenia takes part in NATO
manoeuvres and other activities. We believe co-operation with NATO
is integral to our real security.
Euronews: But will one day Armenia apply to join, and not only
cooperate with NATO?
Sargsyan: At the moment, that issue is not on the agenda. There are
lots of countries, including members of the European Union, which
are not members of NATO.
Euronews: What should be the future of the relations between Armenia
and the European Union?
Sargsyan: Armenians are Europeans. Even if Europeans do not consider
Armenia to be a European country, Armenians themselves feel profoundly
European. We are active in the development of European Neighbourhood
Policy. Actually, we are trying to get more flexible conditions for
contact - by freeing up visa rules so people can meet each other
more easily and to bring about the best conditions for trade and
commerce. We want to establish good relations with our neighbours,
and to that end we are also hoping for help from the EU and European
countries.
Euronews: About the relations between Turkey and Armenia: talks have
started to establish diplomatic relations. But what are the next steps?
Sargsyan: The establishing of diplomatic relations, the opening of
borders and co-operation between neighbours - like many countries
do. Of course, we have a difficult history with Turkey, of course
there was the genocide (in 1915). But we do not think Turkey has to
recognise that genocide before we can establish diplomatic relations.
Euronews : And in this rapprochement, which is the driving force:
Turkey or Armenia, or both?
Sargsyan: I think establishing relations is as much in Armenia's
interest as Turkey's, so it is not really important to say which side
took the initiative. The essential thing is to be able to establish
relations without pre-conditions.
Euronews: At a personal level, what are the next meetings planned
between (the Turkish) President Gul and yourself?
Sargsyan: The only thing decided at the moment is the return football
match between Armenia and Turkey in Istanbul next October - in a
year. But I do not think we will let that year pass without meeting
because negotiations underway at the moment raise the hope of an
earlier encounter. It is highly probable that between now and then
we will reach a mutual decision.
Euronews: The Nagorno-Karabakh is a long standing bone of contention
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. What makes now possible a solution
in this frozen conflict?
Sargsyan: I would not talk about it in those terms
because Nagorno-Karabakh itself has expressed its wish for
self-determination. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh have expressed
their wish, maybe to be re-attached to Armenia, maybe to become an
independent country outside Azerbaijan. I think the declaration
signed a few days ago with Presidents Medvedev and Aliyev really
paves the way for a resolution to this problem. This declaration,
even though it is just a declaration and not an accord, outlines a
purely political solution, and rules out a military path.
Euronews: In your relations with Azerbaijan, do you intend to use
the diplomatic tool of football as well as for Turkey?
Sargsyan: Football is a great game, and the diplomacy of football
could well prove fruitful. But we have already been negotiating with
Azerbaijan for 14 or 15 years - and I think with the help of the
Minsk group, presided over by Russia, the United States and France,
these talks will deliver results such that we will not have to resort
to these diplomatic methods.
armradio.am
11.11.2008 11:40
The President of Armenia, Mr. Serzh Sargsyan gave an interview to
the Euronews. The full text of the interview is presented below:
Euronews: President Sargsyan, what were and what are the consequences
for Armenia of the Georgian crisis?
Serzh Sargsyan: First of all, the Armenian economy has suffered greatly
because of this crisis, because 70 per cent of Armenia's trade passes
through Georgia. We have been neighbours with Georgia for thousands
of years, and with that comes certain responsibility. Personally,
I am happy that the crisis has not damaged our relations. Certainly,
we are also strategic partners with Russia, and that brings other
responsibilities and duties. Responsibilities between neighbours are
not the same as those as between strategic partners, and then you
have to take into account the national interest.
Euronews: According to you, should NATO play a role in the Caucasus?
Sargsyan: Yes, and that is why we in Armenia have a programme of
co-operation with NATO. That is why Armenia takes part in NATO
manoeuvres and other activities. We believe co-operation with NATO
is integral to our real security.
Euronews: But will one day Armenia apply to join, and not only
cooperate with NATO?
Sargsyan: At the moment, that issue is not on the agenda. There are
lots of countries, including members of the European Union, which
are not members of NATO.
Euronews: What should be the future of the relations between Armenia
and the European Union?
Sargsyan: Armenians are Europeans. Even if Europeans do not consider
Armenia to be a European country, Armenians themselves feel profoundly
European. We are active in the development of European Neighbourhood
Policy. Actually, we are trying to get more flexible conditions for
contact - by freeing up visa rules so people can meet each other
more easily and to bring about the best conditions for trade and
commerce. We want to establish good relations with our neighbours,
and to that end we are also hoping for help from the EU and European
countries.
Euronews: About the relations between Turkey and Armenia: talks have
started to establish diplomatic relations. But what are the next steps?
Sargsyan: The establishing of diplomatic relations, the opening of
borders and co-operation between neighbours - like many countries
do. Of course, we have a difficult history with Turkey, of course
there was the genocide (in 1915). But we do not think Turkey has to
recognise that genocide before we can establish diplomatic relations.
Euronews : And in this rapprochement, which is the driving force:
Turkey or Armenia, or both?
Sargsyan: I think establishing relations is as much in Armenia's
interest as Turkey's, so it is not really important to say which side
took the initiative. The essential thing is to be able to establish
relations without pre-conditions.
Euronews: At a personal level, what are the next meetings planned
between (the Turkish) President Gul and yourself?
Sargsyan: The only thing decided at the moment is the return football
match between Armenia and Turkey in Istanbul next October - in a
year. But I do not think we will let that year pass without meeting
because negotiations underway at the moment raise the hope of an
earlier encounter. It is highly probable that between now and then
we will reach a mutual decision.
Euronews: The Nagorno-Karabakh is a long standing bone of contention
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. What makes now possible a solution
in this frozen conflict?
Sargsyan: I would not talk about it in those terms
because Nagorno-Karabakh itself has expressed its wish for
self-determination. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh have expressed
their wish, maybe to be re-attached to Armenia, maybe to become an
independent country outside Azerbaijan. I think the declaration
signed a few days ago with Presidents Medvedev and Aliyev really
paves the way for a resolution to this problem. This declaration,
even though it is just a declaration and not an accord, outlines a
purely political solution, and rules out a military path.
Euronews: In your relations with Azerbaijan, do you intend to use
the diplomatic tool of football as well as for Turkey?
Sargsyan: Football is a great game, and the diplomacy of football
could well prove fruitful. But we have already been negotiating with
Azerbaijan for 14 or 15 years - and I think with the help of the
Minsk group, presided over by Russia, the United States and France,
these talks will deliver results such that we will not have to resort
to these diplomatic methods.