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ARMS RACE UNLEASHED BY AZERBAIJAN CONCERNING FOR REGION - ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
news.am
Nov 17 2011
Armenia
YEREVAN.- The arms race unleashed by Azerbaijan is a cause for
concern not only for Armenia and the region but also on a larger scale
regarding the regional security perspective, said Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan.
President Sargsyan addressed the participants of "Regional Security
Dynamics in the South Caucasus" conference held in Yerevan on Thursday.
The statement reads as follows:
"Let me greet all the participants and guests of the international
conference "Regional Security Dynamics in the South Caucasus". The
importance of the Conference is verified both regarding the security
interests of regional states and the authority and influence of the
present specialists and experts.
The geopolitical developments occurring in the South Caucasus are
complex and often difficult to foresee as the region carries on
itself the influence of regional and extra-regional power centers'
interest pooling and competition. This fact creates both additional
opportunities and some challenges for the regional states.
Armenia's foreign policy is based on the logics of both regional and
global actors' interest pooling, mutually advantageous cooperation
with them and mutual respect.
We are sure that the open borders and the implementation of common
economic programs can become the best incentive for the mutual
understanding and trust environment formation consequently for the
settlement of political problems. In contrast, the policy aimed
at encouraging the separation lines between regional states will
inevitably lead to the instability and distrust growth in the whole
South Caucasus.
The critical challenges facing the region are the unresolved conflicts
which needs a comprehensive and final solution. Many times we
reiterated our solid will that the existing conflicts can be settled
only by peaceful negotiations on the basis of fundamental principals
of international law. I am not vacillating to repeat that the OSCE
Minsk group is the only platform for the settlement of conflict which
is acceptable for Armenia.
We are deeply convinced that a long lasting peace and stability can
be formed only in case if the Nagorno Karabakh population's physical
security and the independent decision of its fate are guaranteed.
The arms race unleashed by Azerbaijan which is being implemented by
numerously exceeding the ceilings set by the Treaty on Conventional
Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) is a cause for concern not only for
Armenia and the region but also on a larger scale regarding the
regional security perspective. Under these conditions Armenia is
forced to focus greater attention on modernizing its military system
as a key factor in containing the belligerent ambitions and ensuring
stability in the region.
The energy factor also plays an essential role in the geopolitical
developments of the South Caucasus. Armenia shows sympathetic
understanding of the policy targeted at the diversification of
the energy supply sources and routes, meanwhile Armenia considers
that the new energy projects should not be used to upset the power
equilibrium established in the region. Such a policy is not only a
threat to the security of separate states in the region but also may
seriously endanger the uninterrupted functioning of the transit routes
of energy sources. We shouldn't allow the Southern Energy Corridor
to become a source for feeding a new war. That is not good for the
region and for the oil and gas companies.
In our days the interconnection of security and development is already
an axiom. In accordance with this position, we initiated the process
of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement in 2008 offering as a first step
the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of the
border without preconditions.
Armenia today also adheres to the principles that he had declared
before initiating this process. And it should be mentioned that
for implementing the international legal obligations today the
manifestation of political will from Turkey is needed.
Stressing the importance of professional consulting support in
making state-level strategic decisions Armenia necessitates the
conferences with participation of international reputable analysts,
as they provide an opportunity to discuss the regional issues at an
expert level and to propose possible resolutions.
Good luck in the Conference and productive work."
news.am
Nov 17 2011
Armenia
YEREVAN.- The arms race unleashed by Azerbaijan is a cause for
concern not only for Armenia and the region but also on a larger scale
regarding the regional security perspective, said Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan.
President Sargsyan addressed the participants of "Regional Security
Dynamics in the South Caucasus" conference held in Yerevan on Thursday.
The statement reads as follows:
"Let me greet all the participants and guests of the international
conference "Regional Security Dynamics in the South Caucasus". The
importance of the Conference is verified both regarding the security
interests of regional states and the authority and influence of the
present specialists and experts.
The geopolitical developments occurring in the South Caucasus are
complex and often difficult to foresee as the region carries on
itself the influence of regional and extra-regional power centers'
interest pooling and competition. This fact creates both additional
opportunities and some challenges for the regional states.
Armenia's foreign policy is based on the logics of both regional and
global actors' interest pooling, mutually advantageous cooperation
with them and mutual respect.
We are sure that the open borders and the implementation of common
economic programs can become the best incentive for the mutual
understanding and trust environment formation consequently for the
settlement of political problems. In contrast, the policy aimed
at encouraging the separation lines between regional states will
inevitably lead to the instability and distrust growth in the whole
South Caucasus.
The critical challenges facing the region are the unresolved conflicts
which needs a comprehensive and final solution. Many times we
reiterated our solid will that the existing conflicts can be settled
only by peaceful negotiations on the basis of fundamental principals
of international law. I am not vacillating to repeat that the OSCE
Minsk group is the only platform for the settlement of conflict which
is acceptable for Armenia.
We are deeply convinced that a long lasting peace and stability can
be formed only in case if the Nagorno Karabakh population's physical
security and the independent decision of its fate are guaranteed.
The arms race unleashed by Azerbaijan which is being implemented by
numerously exceeding the ceilings set by the Treaty on Conventional
Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) is a cause for concern not only for
Armenia and the region but also on a larger scale regarding the
regional security perspective. Under these conditions Armenia is
forced to focus greater attention on modernizing its military system
as a key factor in containing the belligerent ambitions and ensuring
stability in the region.
The energy factor also plays an essential role in the geopolitical
developments of the South Caucasus. Armenia shows sympathetic
understanding of the policy targeted at the diversification of
the energy supply sources and routes, meanwhile Armenia considers
that the new energy projects should not be used to upset the power
equilibrium established in the region. Such a policy is not only a
threat to the security of separate states in the region but also may
seriously endanger the uninterrupted functioning of the transit routes
of energy sources. We shouldn't allow the Southern Energy Corridor
to become a source for feeding a new war. That is not good for the
region and for the oil and gas companies.
In our days the interconnection of security and development is already
an axiom. In accordance with this position, we initiated the process
of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement in 2008 offering as a first step
the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of the
border without preconditions.
Armenia today also adheres to the principles that he had declared
before initiating this process. And it should be mentioned that
for implementing the international legal obligations today the
manifestation of political will from Turkey is needed.
Stressing the importance of professional consulting support in
making state-level strategic decisions Armenia necessitates the
conferences with participation of international reputable analysts,
as they provide an opportunity to discuss the regional issues at an
expert level and to propose possible resolutions.
Good luck in the Conference and productive work."