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Armenian MFA On Foreign Policy Priorities Envisaged In Government Pr

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  • Armenian MFA On Foreign Policy Priorities Envisaged In Government Pr

    ARMENIAN MFA ON FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES ENVISAGED IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM - INTERVIEW

    http://news.am/eng/news/110512.html
    June 21, 2012 | 21:35

    YEREVAN.- An interview of the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
    Kocharyan to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

    Mr. Kocharyan, Armenian Parliament has already approved the government
    program for the next five years. Tell about the foreign policy
    component outlined in the program.

    In coming years, Armenia's foreign policy will continue to develop in
    the direction which pursues the goal to ensure protection of the state
    interests, the country's security, creation of favorable external
    conditions for economic development, enhancing the international
    image of Armenia, ensuring regional stability and security.

    Obviously, one of Armenia's most important foreign policy objectives
    is settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

    In this regard, greater efforts will be taken to involve
    Nagorno-Karabakh in the negotiation process. Everyone realizes that it
    is difficult to speak about effectiveness of talks without Karabakh's
    participation. Naturally, we assume that the basis for resolving the
    conflict should be Karabakh people's right to self-determination.

    In addition, the efforts of both Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh
    Republic (NKR) must be aimed at ruling out the attempts of military
    solution to the conflict. Armenia will continue to support all steps
    taken by NKR, aimed at its economic development, strengthening of
    defense capability, and in general the two Armenian states together
    will continue to move towards the development of a democratic society.

    In this regard, however, there is an interesting difference: while
    Armenia is under current monitoring, we are constantly pointed at
    the problems and mistakes, NKR is building a democratic society
    without any outside support. Moreover, after regular elections in
    Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh], which are characterized as those held in
    accordance with international standards, sometimes voices condemning
    the vote are heard in favor of Azerbaijan.

    Armenia will continue to deepen alliances with its strategic partner
    - Russia, to develop friendly relations with the United States,
    to enhance cooperation with EU countries and the EU itself. Further
    deepening of relations with neighboring Georgia and Iran are also
    of great importance. We are historically bound by good neighborly
    relations with these nations.

    Armenia plans to expand cooperation with China, India, Japan, the Arab
    world. More attention will be paid to the development of relations
    with other countries in the Asian region, the countries of Africa
    and Latin America.

    Government's program also pays attention to ensuring the military
    and political security. In this regard, relationship with Russia, and
    Armenia's membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization
    (CSTO) is important. We will continue to deepen cooperation in this
    relatively young organization which faces a process of strengthening
    and improving efficiency. Armenia is actively involved in this
    process, too.

    One of the important components of the government program in general,
    and the Foreign Ministry in particular, are the efforts aimed at
    prevention and condemnation of crimes against humanity, such as
    genocide. This work is especially important in the light of the 100th
    anniversary of the tragedy the Armenian people survived. The undertaken
    moves are important not only for our country and the Diaspora, but for
    entire world. The unpunished crimes against humanity and denial of the
    fact of crime create fertile ground for recurrence of similar events.

    We will also continue efforts to actively participate in various
    international agencies, as a full member or observer, depending on
    the organization and on our goals.

    Are there plans to open new embassies?

    The process of increasing the number of Armenian diplomatic missions
    abroad continues. Armenia's embassies opened in several countries
    within the past two years. We will make efforts to open new embassies.

    Will the Armenian side make efforts to promote its position on the
    Nagorno-Karabakh settlement?

    The point is that Azerbaijan is the side to be engaged in publicity
    stunt using talks as a cover. Our goal is to expose distorted facts
    promoted by Azerbaijan and present the true course of events. We are
    not distorting the international law, it is on our side.

    The truth is that the conflict broke out and turned into war due
    to Azerbaijan's politics of power. It is not mere coincidence that
    position voiced by Armenia is coherent with those expressed by the
    co-chairing states and representatives of different international
    agencies.

    Azerbaijan's actions and statements run counter to the steps offered
    by international institutions and mediators in order to create an
    atmosphere of confidence between peoples, which is a prerequisite
    for achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.

    Thus, the mediators are calling for withdrawal of snipers from the
    contact line; Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia support the proposal, while
    Azerbaijan is against it. The mediators offer creation of mechanisms
    to investigate the incidents on frontline - again, Nagorno-Karabakh
    and Armenia are for, while Azerbaijan is against the initiative. In
    response to calls by the international community to maintain the
    ceasefire agreement Azerbaijan holds acts of sabotage. We do have
    strong positions but this does not mean that we should not work -
    on the contrary, we must work hard to further present the rightness
    of our position.

    Has foreign office launched preparation for events marking
    100thanniversary of the Armenian Genocide?

    Although the world will mark tragic anniversary in 2015, preparation
    for the events has already started. It must be taken into account
    that Turkey is extremely concerned about the upcoming date, and with
    a persistency mobilizes its forces, including the communities abroad,
    in an attempt to hinder the process of international recognition
    of the Armenian Genocide. However, it will not stop the process of
    international recognition. By denying the Genocide, leadership of
    modern Turkey resembles the Ottoman Turkey government which perpetrated
    the Genocide.

    Can you present the details on the components of Armenia's external
    security?

    The two Armenian states first of all reckon their own strength, and
    military parades in Yerevan and Stepanakert have demonstrated that in
    case of any events, the response may be asymmetric. In modern world
    security of even larger states, definitely, supposes cooperation,
    teamwork and membership in a military-political bloc. Armenia is a
    CSTO member and at the same time is working effectively with NATO.

    In addition to the CSTO obligations, in case of aggression against
    Armenia, we have a bilateral treaty with Russia, and during the state
    visit of Russian [former] President Dmitry Medvedev to Armenia the
    document was amended. According to the document, together with the
    Armenian side, Russia is obliged to provide security along the entire
    perimeter of the Armenian border, not the length of the former Soviet
    border, as previously. Besides, it is important that the negotiation
    process on Nagorno-Karabakh involve three states, permanent members
    of UN Security Council.

    The negotiation process, in fact, has two components - to contribute
    to the comprehensive peace agreement and to avoid slipping into a new
    armed confrontation. Not coincidentally, the recent sabotage undertaken
    by Azerbaijan at the line of contact with Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
    were rebuffed both by the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
    states and directly the mediators. OSCE Chairperson-in-Office,
    Foreign Minister of Ireland and the future Chairperson-in-Office -
    the Foreign Minister of Ukraine - have repeatedly stated that one of
    the organization's priorities is prevention of military solutions of
    the conflict.

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