October 19, 2004 - 18:16 AMT
ARMENIA HAS TO MEET THE POLITICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPANDED COOPERATION WITH NATO
"Armenia has to meet the political requirements for expanded cooperation with NATO" senior Transatlantic fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the US Ronald Asmus told in his interview with Mediamax news agency. In his words, one of the advantages of NATO as compared to the early 90-ies is that now the Alliance is experienced in implementation of instruments and programs for establishing relations with countries like Armenia. Moreover, NATO is filing programs allowing the partner-states to choose the kind of cooperation, Mr. Asmus said. "It is up to Armenians to decide what kind of relationship they want to have with NATO and Russia", the US expert said. To note, according to Ronald Asmus, "improved Turkish-Armenian rapprochement would make it easier to deepen NATO-Armenian relations".