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ARMENIA'S FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES HIGHLIGHTED
Shavarsh Kocharyan
http://asbarez.com/103753/armenia%E2%80%99s-foreign-policy-priorities-highlighted/
Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan
YEREVAN-The resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as
ensuring regional security are Armenia's top foreign policy priorities
in the coming five years, according to deputy foreign minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan, who outlined Yerevan's outlook in an interview with news.am.
"Obviously, one of Armenia's most important foreign policy objectives
is the resolution of the Karabakh conflict," said Kocharyan. "To
this end, greater steps will be taken to involve Nagorno-Karabakh
in the negotiation process. Everyone realizes that it is difficult
to speak about the 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."
Kocharyan also said that Armenian and the Nargono-Karabakh Republic
must work together to halt attempts to a military solution to the
conflict.
"Armenia will continue to support all steps taken by the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, aimed at its economic development,
strengthening of its defense capabilities, and in general the two
Armenian states together will continue to move toward the development
of a democratic society," said Kocharyan.
"Azerbaijan continues to engage in misleading publicity stunts and
uses the talks as a cover for its policies. Our goal is to expose
the distortion promoted by Azerbaijan and present the true course
of events. We are not distorting the international law, it is on
side," added Kocharyan. "The truth is that the conflict broke out
and turned into war due to Azerbaijan's power politics. It is not
a mere coincidence that the position voiced by Armenia is coherent
with those expressed by the co-chairing states and representatives
of different international agencies."
Kocharyan said Azerbaijan's actions and statements run counter to
the steps proposed by the international mediators in order to create
an atmosphere of trust and build confidence between the two people,
which he said is a prerequisite for achieving a comprehensive peace
agreement.
"Thus, the mediators are calling for the withdrawal of snipers from the
contact line. While Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia support the proposal,
Azerbaijan is against it," explained Kocharyan. "The mediators propose
the establishment of mechanisms to investigate the incidents on the
frontline and again, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia are supportive,
while Azerbaijan is against the initiative. In response to calls
by the international community to maintain the ceasefire agreement
Azerbaijan continues to stage acts of sabotage."
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.
Kocharyan also highlighted Armenia's priority to work toward the
prevention and condemnation of crimes against humanity such as
Genocide.
"This aspect is especially important in light of the 100th anniversary
of the tragedy the Armenian people survived. The efforts that have been
initiated are important not only for our country and the Diaspora,
but for the entire world. The unpunished crimes against humanity and
their denial create fertile ground for recurrence of similar events,"
said Kocharyan.
"Preparations have already begun to mark the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide in 2015. It must be taken into consideration that
Turkey is extremely concerned about this date, and with has begun to
persistently mobilize its forces, including the communities abroad,
in an attempt to hinder the process of international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide. However, this [effort by Turkey] will not stop
the process of international recognition. By denying the Genocide, the
leadership of modern Turkey resembles the Ottoman Turkish government
which perpetrated the Genocide," said Kocharyan.
The deputy foreign minister also highlighted the strengthening of
relations with strategic partners, such a Russia, as an integral
foreign policy objective. Development of relations with the US and
the EU and advancing ties with neighbors, such as Georgia and Iran
were also described as being of "great importance" for Yerevan.
Expanded cooperation with China, India, Japan, the Arab world,
as well as developing relations with Africa and Latin America will
also, according to Kocharyan, be a focal point of Armenia's foreign
policy priorities.
Kocharyan explained that Armenia's membership in the Collective
Security Treaty Organization and its relations with Russia ensure
military and political security of Armenia while it also works with
NATO and European powers.
Armenia's close working ties with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
states and the OSCE Chairman in Office will also facilitate the
advancement of peace in the region, according to Kocharyan.
Shavarsh Kocharyan
http://asbarez.com/103753/armenia%E2%80%99s-foreign-policy-priorities-highlighted/
Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan
YEREVAN-The resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as
ensuring regional security are Armenia's top foreign policy priorities
in the coming five years, according to deputy foreign minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan, who outlined Yerevan's outlook in an interview with news.am.
"Obviously, one of Armenia's most important foreign policy objectives
is the resolution of the Karabakh conflict," said Kocharyan. "To
this end, greater steps will be taken to involve Nagorno-Karabakh
in the negotiation process. Everyone realizes that it is difficult
to speak about the 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."
Kocharyan also said that Armenian and the Nargono-Karabakh Republic
must work together to halt attempts to a military solution to the
conflict.
"Armenia will continue to support all steps taken by the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, aimed at its economic development,
strengthening of its defense capabilities, and in general the two
Armenian states together will continue to move toward the development
of a democratic society," said Kocharyan.
"Azerbaijan continues to engage in misleading publicity stunts and
uses the talks as a cover for its policies. Our goal is to expose
the distortion promoted by Azerbaijan and present the true course
of events. We are not distorting the international law, it is on
side," added Kocharyan. "The truth is that the conflict broke out
and turned into war due to Azerbaijan's power politics. It is not
a mere coincidence that the position voiced by Armenia is coherent
with those expressed by the co-chairing states and representatives
of different international agencies."
Kocharyan said Azerbaijan's actions and statements run counter to
the steps proposed by the international mediators in order to create
an atmosphere of trust and build confidence between the two people,
which he said is a prerequisite for achieving a comprehensive peace
agreement.
"Thus, the mediators are calling for the withdrawal of snipers from the
contact line. While Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia support the proposal,
Azerbaijan is against it," explained Kocharyan. "The mediators propose
the establishment of mechanisms to investigate the incidents on the
frontline and again, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia are supportive,
while Azerbaijan is against the initiative. In response to calls
by the international community to maintain the ceasefire agreement
Azerbaijan continues to stage acts of sabotage."
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.
Kocharyan also highlighted Armenia's priority to work toward the
prevention and condemnation of crimes against humanity such as
Genocide.
"This aspect is especially important in light of the 100th anniversary
of the tragedy the Armenian people survived. The efforts that have been
initiated are important not only for our country and the Diaspora,
but for the entire world. The unpunished crimes against humanity and
their denial create fertile ground for recurrence of similar events,"
said Kocharyan.
"Preparations have already begun to mark the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide in 2015. It must be taken into consideration that
Turkey is extremely concerned about this date, and with has begun to
persistently mobilize its forces, including the communities abroad,
in an attempt to hinder the process of international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide. However, this [effort by Turkey] will not stop
the process of international recognition. By denying the Genocide, the
leadership of modern Turkey resembles the Ottoman Turkish government
which perpetrated the Genocide," said Kocharyan.
The deputy foreign minister also highlighted the strengthening of
relations with strategic partners, such a Russia, as an integral
foreign policy objective. Development of relations with the US and
the EU and advancing ties with neighbors, such as Georgia and Iran
were also described as being of "great importance" for Yerevan.
Expanded cooperation with China, India, Japan, the Arab world,
as well as developing relations with Africa and Latin America will
also, according to Kocharyan, be a focal point of Armenia's foreign
policy priorities.
Kocharyan explained that Armenia's membership in the Collective
Security Treaty Organization and its relations with Russia ensure
military and political security of Armenia while it also works with
NATO and European powers.
Armenia's close working ties with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
states and the OSCE Chairman in Office will also facilitate the
advancement of peace in the region, according to Kocharyan.