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Armenia - Nato's Foothold

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  • Armenia - Nato's Foothold

    ARMENIA - NATO'S FOOTHOLD
    Hakob Badalyan

    http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/27967
    Comments - Tuesday, 06 November 2012, 13:22

    James Appathurai, the Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political
    Affairs and Security Policy and NATO Secretary General's Special
    Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, stated that NATO
    seeks to increase its presence in the South Caucasus. In addition, not
    only the statement itself is interesting but the fact that Appathurai
    made the statement in Yerevan during the NATO-Armenia meeting. The
    NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus
    would hardly be so imprudent as to make a statement in Yerevan which
    would be accepted with jealousy in Moscow. The Kremlin wouldn't like
    the fact that Yerevan is becoming a platform for NATO to express its
    ambitions relating to the South Caucasus.

    Maybe Appathurai did it on purpose, maybe his statement flies in the
    face of Moscow stating that Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia want to
    use the possibilities provided by the North Atlantic Alliance which
    is going to extend the "menu" offered to these countries.

    In addition, it is noteworthy that NATO had dome something similar
    in September. The CSTO military exercise was planned in September,
    Putin was supposed to attend it. However, NATO Secretary General
    Anders Fogh Rasmussen arrived in Armenia earlier. The visit was a
    surprise which makes think that it was also an implication to Moscow.

    The interesting thing is why NATO chose Armenia as the place to deal
    with Russia. Does that mean that Armenia is the only pillar of the
    Russian policy in the Southern Caucasus?

    Hardly so. It would be a very primitive trick. Apparently, the issue
    is that NATO views Armenia as a pillar for its policy in the South
    Caucasus. Armenia is a key country for NATO.

    It is determined by the quality of human resources in Armenia. The
    issue is that the technological element will dominate in the NATO
    tactics which is a particularity of NATO and the whole defense system
    of the West. In this sense, Armenia can be not only one of NATO's most
    effective partners but also the pillar of the technological strategy.

    Not only strategic, security, diversification-related but also economic
    prospects open up for Armenia, because the prospects of NATO's South
    Caucasus policy suppose investments in innovative technologies
    in Armenia and new production circles. As to Russia's jealousy,
    one can understand it but Armenia's interest needs large-scale and
    deep relations with NATO with new proposals because they contain new
    prospects of new quality and modernization of strategic and economic
    security of Armenia.

    This is the fundamental issue for Armenia because even with the optimal
    demographic pattern Armenia will hardly be able to compete with its
    neighbors over the next several decades, particularly Azerbaijan and
    Turkey. Besides, the Kurdish issue rises in the context of demography.

    In these conditions, the axis of the security system of Armenia
    should not be the human resources but modern technology. One citizen
    of Armenia with his or her potential should be equal to several
    citizens of Azerbaijan. For the solution of this issue, NATO is
    a unique partner for Armenia, like Armenia is for NATO within the
    framework of the South-Caucasus policy.

    The issue of Russia's jealousy stands out. Moreover, Russia's issue
    is not jealousy but the fear to lose its strategic position. But,
    the deep and large-scale cooperation between Armenia and NATO does
    not suppose any relation with Russia. Armenia has time to work on
    Russia's attitude along with deepening relations with NATO.

    The most important thing for Armenia is to follow its interests and
    priorities, have a clear understanding of its interests and whether
    they are short, medium or long-term. It should be able to define
    the interest and be consistent with possibly the most effective
    realization. In other words, if Armenia thinks that cooperation
    with NATO stems from its long-term interest (no need to limit it by
    membership) then Armenia should be able to explain all this to Russia
    and not undergo Moscow's possible repression. And if a government is
    unable to do that, it should leave since it is a threat to Armenia's
    interest and security.


    From: Baghdasarian
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