Close cooperation with Russia is Armenia's security guarantor

PanARMENIAN.Net - In the near future Armenia's foreign line will be seriously challenged, Ruben Safrastyan, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the RA National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, told a news conference in Yerevan.



"Complementary policy has already been exhausted and Armenia should be build relations with other states proceeding from its own interests. Regional processes will sooner or later influence on Armenia and we should be ready for reciprocal diplomatic moves.



Ankara's foreign policy targeted at formation of a military and strategic alliance between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan is to cut Armenia off all regional development programs.



The other factor is NATO's enlargement to the South Caucasus. With receiving a status of NATO aspirant country, Georgia will strengthen ties with Turkey.



The third factor is the Iranian problem. To be more correct, the U.S. policy towards Iran's nuclear file. Hostilities will have grave consequences for the region," Safrastyan said.



Mr Safrastyan is convinced in necessity of coordination of diplomatic steps and enablement of strong points of Armenia's foreign policy. "Close cooperation with Russia is one of Armenia's strongest points. The Armenia-Russia military and strategic cooperation is the guarantor of our security. The 102nd Russian military base is a restraining factor for Turkey. As you remember, in 1992 the Turkish army was planning to intrude into Armenia and only the statement by Russian Defense Minister Yergeny Shaposhnikov, who said, "Any encroachment on Armenia will give a start to World War III," made Turkey abandon its intentions," Safrastyan underscored.