Enlargement into former soviet union’s space never been goal of NATO –envoy
18.10.2013,
16:52
Enlargement into the former Soviet Union’s space has never been a political goal of NATO, NATO Secretary General’s special envoy for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai told a news conference in Yerevan today.
YEREVAN, October 18. / ARKA /. Enlargement into the former Soviet Union’s space has never been a political goal of NATO, NATO Secretary General’s special envoy for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai told a news conference in Yerevan today.
However, he stressed that NATO's door is always open to all European democracies that want to become its members.
"This is not a political project, it is a principle we have always adhered to. Today, it is important in relation to Georgia," he said.
Appathurai added that NATO respects the sovereign choice of all its partners, which do not intend to become members of NATO.
Cooperation between Armenia and NATO is currently being built in accordance with Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), signed in December 2005.
Armenia's participation in IPAP means holding periodic consultations with NATO on regional security, development of this strategy, as well as development of Armenia’s military doctrine and improvement of its defense and budget planning. Armenia also participates in NATO peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. -0-
