NATO plans to develop ties with Armenia, Moldova, AzerbaijanApril 1, 2014 - 18:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Spiegel Online obtained a NATO document on practical steps to develop cooperation with Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russia Today reported. The paper details the Alliance’s plans for the partners’ support in the region. NATO’s short-term goal stipulates for promotion of stability in the Eastern Europe in the context of current developments. Besides, to be considered are possibilities to increase compatibility between the armies of NATO member states and those of countries listed, which probably means holding joint drills and military training, Spiegel notes. Individual programs are envisaged for each of the 3 countries. A liaison officer will be dispatched to Kishinev; energy and cybersecurity cooperation will be boosted with Azerbaijan, with increase of qualification of the armed forces personnel as a priority in Armenia. As NATO Liaison Officer for the Caucasus stated at the Yerevan-hosted international conference titled NATO’s Partnerships and the South Caucasus: A Strategic Approach to Regional Security in March, “any country of the Caucasus region can become a NATO member.” According to Willoam Lahue, NATO builds cooperation based on the rule of law and democracy, while valuing the freedom of every country in the Alliance. Lahue criticized Russia’s actions on Ukraine as a threat to the stability in the Caucasus as well as North Atlantic regions. He further welcomed Armenia as an important NATO partner, hailing the country’s adherence to obligations to the Alliance. “Armenia is the only CSTO country participating in the NATO operations. It’s an impotent factor allowing to combine different approaches, especially in the light of disagreements between the CSTO and NATO member states,” he concluded. Related links: Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |