Robert Kocharian: Armenia Doesn´t Set Task to Join NATO

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “We do not speak of the NATO membership and do not set such task,” Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated in an interview with Delo Slovenian newspaper. “Joining any military-political union should be precisely grounded. In this case the necessary raising of the level of security of the country should serve as a basis. It cannot be a tribute to fashion or imitation. When Slovenia joined the NATO, the fact of raising the security was indisputable. Now look at the political map, at the South Caucasus, where Russia’s influence is traditionally strong, look at Armenia bordering with Turkey and Iran and ask yourself whether Armenia’s joining the NATO can raise the security of the republic or not. Over this reason we are not speaking of the NATO membership. However we intend to expand our cooperation with the Alliance as with the pivotal European organization on security issues. The cooperation will proceed within the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP),” the Armenian President stated, Mediamax reported.