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THERE IS NO MILITARY SOLUTION TO THIS CONFLICT: JAMES APPATHURAI
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: If a compromise solution can be
agreed by the authorities on both sides, this would be a tremendous
boost to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as the wider region. The
NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and
Central Asia James Appathurai spoke about this in the interview with
"Armenpress". Issues regarding Armenia-NATO reciprocal relations,
the participation of Armenia in peacemaking missions of NATO and the
position of NATO on Safarov's case have been discussed.
- Mr. Appathurai, Armenia tries to intensify its cooperation with
NATO in the framework of few programs. How would you estimate the
progress of Armenia-NATO bilateral relations in the framework of
Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP)?
Armenia and NATO have developed excellent relations over the past
years. Armenia is a steadfast contributor to NATO operations in
Afghanistan and Kosovo. Officers from the Armenian Armed Forces, but
also officials from a range of Armenian Ministries, participate every
year in activities organized under the Partnership for Peace umbrella.
In addition, Armenia is actively engaged in political discussions
amongst NATO Allies and NATO Partners. A good example is this week's
international seminar on the evolution of NATO partnerships in Yerevan,
which I will attend on Monday.
- Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Does this fact anyhow affect Armenia's relations with NATO; does it
create any tension in Armenia-NATO relations?
No, I see no tension here. We do not ask our partners to choose
between one or the other.
- Armenia is also involved in NATO peacekeeping missions particularly
in Kosovo and Afghanistan. What is your estimate of Armenia's
contribution to these missions?
Armenia is a steadfast contributor to these operations. NATO
appreciates the commitment by Armenia to provide these forces to
our operations. The troops have played an outstanding role in both
theatres. The experience gained during deployments abroad also serves
as a catalyst for Armenia's efforts to reform its armed forces.
- After Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov was extradited from
Hungary and released in Azerbaijan there were many opinions that NATO
should forcefully condemn this fact and suspend the participation
of Azerbaijan in its programs as Armenian officer Gourgen Margaryan
was brutally killed during NATO courses in Budapest. What is your
reaction to these comments? Is NATO ready to undertake any serious
measures against Azerbaijan?
I believe the NATO Secretary General has been clear when visiting both
Yerevan and Baku in early September. He expressed his deep concern
about the Azerbaijan decision to pardon the Azerbaijani army officer
Safarov. The act this officer committed in 2004 was a terrible crime
that should not be glorified. The pardon damages trust and does not
contribute to the peace process.
- After Safarov's release the tensions in the region and particularly
around Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have heated up. How do you see
the prospect of the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict after
Azerbaijan's step that once again torpedoed peace talks?
There is no military solution to this conflict. However, progress on
the diplomatic track is urgently needed and something which the people
who, on both sides, are directly affected by this conflict deserve.
Through the Minsk Group, France, Russia and the US are actively
mediating. However, even these influential countries cannot
be successful if the sides to the conflict do not work towards
a compromise. And a compromise will mean that both sides make
concessions. If a compromise solution can be agreed by the authorities
on both sides, this would be a tremendous boost to Armenia and
Azerbaijan as well as the wider region.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: If a compromise solution can be
agreed by the authorities on both sides, this would be a tremendous
boost to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as the wider region. The
NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and
Central Asia James Appathurai spoke about this in the interview with
"Armenpress". Issues regarding Armenia-NATO reciprocal relations,
the participation of Armenia in peacemaking missions of NATO and the
position of NATO on Safarov's case have been discussed.
- Mr. Appathurai, Armenia tries to intensify its cooperation with
NATO in the framework of few programs. How would you estimate the
progress of Armenia-NATO bilateral relations in the framework of
Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP)?
Armenia and NATO have developed excellent relations over the past
years. Armenia is a steadfast contributor to NATO operations in
Afghanistan and Kosovo. Officers from the Armenian Armed Forces, but
also officials from a range of Armenian Ministries, participate every
year in activities organized under the Partnership for Peace umbrella.
In addition, Armenia is actively engaged in political discussions
amongst NATO Allies and NATO Partners. A good example is this week's
international seminar on the evolution of NATO partnerships in Yerevan,
which I will attend on Monday.
- Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Does this fact anyhow affect Armenia's relations with NATO; does it
create any tension in Armenia-NATO relations?
No, I see no tension here. We do not ask our partners to choose
between one or the other.
- Armenia is also involved in NATO peacekeeping missions particularly
in Kosovo and Afghanistan. What is your estimate of Armenia's
contribution to these missions?
Armenia is a steadfast contributor to these operations. NATO
appreciates the commitment by Armenia to provide these forces to
our operations. The troops have played an outstanding role in both
theatres. The experience gained during deployments abroad also serves
as a catalyst for Armenia's efforts to reform its armed forces.
- After Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov was extradited from
Hungary and released in Azerbaijan there were many opinions that NATO
should forcefully condemn this fact and suspend the participation
of Azerbaijan in its programs as Armenian officer Gourgen Margaryan
was brutally killed during NATO courses in Budapest. What is your
reaction to these comments? Is NATO ready to undertake any serious
measures against Azerbaijan?
I believe the NATO Secretary General has been clear when visiting both
Yerevan and Baku in early September. He expressed his deep concern
about the Azerbaijan decision to pardon the Azerbaijani army officer
Safarov. The act this officer committed in 2004 was a terrible crime
that should not be glorified. The pardon damages trust and does not
contribute to the peace process.
- After Safarov's release the tensions in the region and particularly
around Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have heated up. How do you see
the prospect of the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict after
Azerbaijan's step that once again torpedoed peace talks?
There is no military solution to this conflict. However, progress on
the diplomatic track is urgently needed and something which the people
who, on both sides, are directly affected by this conflict deserve.
Through the Minsk Group, France, Russia and the US are actively
mediating. However, even these influential countries cannot
be successful if the sides to the conflict do not work towards
a compromise. And a compromise will mean that both sides make
concessions. If a compromise solution can be agreed by the authorities
on both sides, this would be a tremendous boost to Armenia and
Azerbaijan as well as the wider region.