NATO DOESN’T WANT TO HASTEN THE DEVELOPMENT RATE OF RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA
Support A1+!Though exercises “THE BEST ATTEPMT-2003” under NATO patronage will take place in Armenia.
Joseph Ralston, Commander-in-Chief of NATO’ European Forces, who is on a day visit in Armenia, announces he has arrived in Armenia to meet political figures and commanders of Defence Ministry of Armenia.
Later he stated: “I’m not here to hasten NATO-Armenia relations more than the level, accepted by Armenian people.”
But he doesn’t hide that relations of our country with NATO have become deeper recently. In the beginning of the last year after visit of Jorge Robertson, NATO General Secretary, an Armenian peacekeeping battalion was set up within “Partnership for Peace” Program.
All the countries, which are the members of the program, have been invited to partake in the exercises, including Azerbaijan and Turkey. NATO representative General explains he can’t say whether Turkey will accept the offer or not.
“Of course, Turkey is a NATO member. But it is one of the 19 member countries and 19 will soon become 26. Both Turkey and Armenia must solve the problem for themselves. I know we will take the right direction” .
As to Azerbaijan’ participation, Azeri military men refused to take part in the conference in Yerevan under NATO patronage without any reason this year. Instead, Armenian officers have arranged a measure like that in Baku.
In any case, it may well be that NATO manages to persuade both Turkey and Azerbaijan to take part in the joint exercises in Armenia.
