Armenia’s alliance with Russia enables it to view Russia as reliable and trustworthy partner – Armen Ashotyan

The problem of Nagorno-Karabakh security has over the years been viewed as global security problem within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Vice-Chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Armen Ashotyan told Tert.am as he summed up the NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland, where Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan raised the issue of settlement the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The ghost of cold war is walking about Eurasia could be given flesh and blood unless the global actors find the strength to avert further escalation. And the Nagorno-Karabakh army and people are guarantees of the country’s security.

Mr Ashotyan, the NATO Summit in Warsaw approved a statement on settlement of conflicts in the South Caucasus, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan did not take part in the previous summit. What has changed? What is the role of NATO’s involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and the fact that the problem was raised there?

Let us consider the issue in several aspects. First, the South Caucasus has throughout history been a region of wars, conflicts and global importance. In this respect, nothing has changed for centuries. Actors change and realignment takes place, while the South Caucasus does not lose its important role.

Regional conflicts are fraught with unpredictable outbursts. Any conflict can escalate into a large-scale war. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not an exception. Rather, it may even pose a greater risk as we are dealing with inadequate political leadership. Our neighbor’s militant rhetoric escalates the political and military situation. So we have to be ready for long-term mobilization and live on in such conditions, support Nagorno-Karabakh and build up our own statehood.

The NATO leadership plays a unique role for Armenia. The individual partnership program was signed in 2006-2007, which involved Armenia in a number of peacekeeping missions. Peace needs to be made, and, in this respect, Armenia is not only a peacekeeper, but it is also a peacemaker. Armenia is for de-escalation. We do not want war.

NATO does not give any security and stability guarantees to Nagorno-Karabakh. So what are our expectations?

It is natural for us to understand what present-day NATO is. It is a US-led structure. And we should never forget that Turkey is a NATO member-state. And our relations with it do not allow us to be friendly to them. Therefore, a structure exercising global influence, NATO is pursuing certain regional interests in cooperating with Armenia. Viewing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a global security problem, we should realize that Armenia’s security system has over the years been formed within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The ghost of cold war walking about Eurasia could be given flesh and blood unless the global actors find the strength to avert further escalation. And the Nagorno-Karabakh army and people are guarantees of the country’s security.

And in terms of security we have to rely on our own state, social and military infrastructures. In this respect, considering the Armenian president’s speech, it is obvious that Armenia is also a guarantor of Nagorno-Karabakh’s statehood, and is no read for any concessions on the country’s existence and recognition of its international rights.

Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin stated that Russia continue military and technical cooperation with Azerbaijan. Moreover, he announced new Russian-Azerbaijani arms supplies agreements. What is your opinion of our one more statement on arms supply by our ally?

Any anti-Russian sentiments are unacceptable in Armenia – and the primary reason is our own national interest, rather than Russia’s interests. The package of our alliance with Russia enables us to view Russia as our reliable and trustworthy partner- and in the context of security systems as well. On the other hand, we must get rid of romantic and emotional approaches and realize the each state has its own national interests.