Military expert calls for continuing reforms in defense sphere of Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - ''August war in Georgia altered the balance of military forces in South Caucasus. It demonstrated Moscow's power of influence in the region, solved two suspended conflicts in the Caucasus, proved it's premature for Georgia to seek NATO membership and West's disinterestedness in Tbilisi, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian stated in his report entitled "Balance of Military Forces in South Caucasus".





Considering the circumstances, the official Yerevan should take a serious attitude towards national security in Armenian and NKR. Armament drive and militarization of the region were launched after the war in South Ossetia. Since 2004 Azerbaijan has been increasing military budget volumes, inducing Armenia to correspond. Georgia's experience taught a good lesson to Caucasian states, showing ineffectiveness of military solution in the region.





According to expert, Armenia and NKR possess the most efficient armed forces in the region and low corruption level in defense sphere as compared to Azerbaijan. As for Azerbaijan, Even if Azeri Ministry of Defense undertook reforms tomorrow, they'll need 8 years at the least to eliminate corruption and other faults in Azeri Armed Forces.



Still, considering militarization of the whole region, Armenia should continue with reforms in defense sphere and undertake specific steps to develop democracy and economy in the country to balance its military forces in the region.