not have diplomatic relations with Armenia and has blockaded the country. Therefore, the main objective of the Armenian security system is to eliminate the threats coming from neighbouring countries. So, according to Armenian politicians, NATO membership will only be on the agenda when the Alliance clarifies its position on the regional issues.1 Otherwise, Turkey might have an influence on NATO resolutions over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in favour of its partner Azerbaijan. Moreover, even if Armenia decides to join NATO, Turkey
Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on Russian military presence at the Gyumri base in 2010 (Photo: N. Armenakyan)
might veto its membership like any other pro-Armenian resolu-
aggressiveness by turning down all the confidence-building meas-
tion.
ures. One year later, Azerbaijan objected to the participation of
However, Armenia cooperates with NATO even without
Armenian officers in “The Cooperative Best Effort 2004”, which
being a member of the Alliance. For instance, in the sphere of
had been planned to be held in Azerbaijan.4 As a result, NATO
defense and military cooperation, the Armenian Armed Forces
decided to cancel “The Cooperative Best Effort 2004” as all PfP
receive personnel training and support from NATO to increase
exercises are agreed and conducted on the principle of inclusive-
border security. Cooperation with NATO is very important in
ness for all Allies and partners wishing to participate. On Sep-
this sphere because NATO can contribute to the technological
tember 13th, a NATO spokesman declared: “We regret that the
progress of the Armenian Armed Forces, which the Russian
principle of inclusiveness could not be upheld in this case, lead-
2
Army cannot guarantee as it is the USSR’s old-fashioned legacy.
ing to the cancellation of the exercise.”5
Armenia also participates in the Partnership for Peace (PfP).
Four years later, Armenia hosted the PfP exercise
Since joining it in 1994, Armenian troops have cooperated with
“Cooperative Longbow/Lancer”. It involved approximately 900
NATO countries in many peacekeeping operations. For exam-
troops from NATO, PfP, and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative
ple, Armenia contributed troops to the Kosovo Force (KFOR) as
(ICI) nations. Unfortunately, very few sources highlight the fact
of 2004. But recently, Armenia has ended its participation in
that while being the smallest country in South Caucasus, Arme-
KFOR. The Armenian platoon of light infantry (35 personnel),
nia hosted the biggest NATO exercise of the region. The exer-
which served within the Greek contingent had to return to Yere-
cise served as an opportunity to learn how to work together in
van because of the pull-out of most of the Greek peacekeeping battalion. Today, Armenia is ready to send its troops back to Kosovo if another NATO member state agrees to cover their logistical ex-
the framework of a NATO-led opera-
Since 2009, Armenia has been contributing troops to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
penses in the place of Greece. Besides,
tion. In September 2010, Armenia hosted the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre’s civil emergency exercise (“Armenia 2010”) in the Kotayk region.
since 2009, Armenia has been contributing troops to the Interna-
Teams from 15 Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and
tional Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. In June
Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) nations took part in the exercise,
2011, the number of Armenian troops serving in ISAF was al-
and 11 additional countries participated by sending staff officers.
most tripled to about 130.
Altogether, more than 600 individuals belonging to civilian and
In 2003, Armenia successfully hosted a NATO/PfP exercise
military teams from NATO and partner countries with capabili-
for the first time. “The Cooperative Best Effort 2003” took place
ties to deal with different aspects of emergencies took part in the
at the Vazgen Sargsian Military Institute in Armenia. The aim of
event. Through this exercise, NATO and partner nations prac-
the exercise was to improve land force effectiveness in the field
ticed the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre
by making NATO and partner contributors work together to
(EADRCC) procedures and capabilities, in order to improve the
3
develop better understanding and interoperability. Turkish
nations’ ability to respond to a disaster.
troops also participated in that exercise on Armenian soil. But
Besides, Armenia participates in the NATO Parliamentary
this does not apply to Azerbaijan. The country continued its
Assembly, thanks to which it is able to prevent the adoption of
Atlantic Voices, Volume 2, Issue 8
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