NATO, nor NATO is ready to accept Armenia.”7 The point is
the European Union. In NATO-Azerbaijan relations the Turkish factor should also
that NATO membership implies responsibilities not only from
be taken into account because, while being a NATO member for
the Armenian side but also from NATO. First of all, the Alliance
decades, Turkey maintains close relations with Azerbaijan and
should be responsible for the security of the region, which is
may have an impact on its integration into the Alliance.
quite complicated because of the ongoing regional conflicts.
But at the same time, Azerbaijan tries to maintain high-level
Armenia doesn’t seek NATO membership because Armenian
relations with Russia, as the latter plays an important role in
politicians comprehend that it is unrealistic in the current situa-
South Caucasus, and especially in the process of peaceful settle-
tion. But Armenia’s integration into NATO should not be ruled
ment of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijani politicians
out. Maybe the situation in South Caucasus will change, and
comprehend that the intensification of NATO-Azerbaijan rela-
Armenia would come up with an intention to join NATO in the
tions will definitely contribute to the improvement of the al-
nearest future.
ready close Russian-Armenian ties, which may have a negative effect for Azerbaijan regarding the future settlement of the Na-
1
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics25227.html
gorno-Karabakh conflict.
2
http://www.lragir.am/armsrc/natohb64929.html
3
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2003/06-june/
It can be concluded that all three states of the South Caucasus region are trying to implement major reforms in the area of
e0616a.htm
security, economy and defense in order to be integrated into the
4
EU and other European institutions. But as Armenia, Azerbaijan
events/2004/09/12/13942
Human Rights in Armenia, Civil Society Institute, http://www.hra.am/hy/
and Georgia conduct different policies towards NATO, the integration process of each will differ from the others’. Russia’s role should also be taken into account, as it has a huge influence in
5
As Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia conduct different policies towards NATO, their integration processes will differ from each other.
the region and can therefore have an impact on NATO-South Caucasus relations. For example, while Georgia is trying to become a NATO member as soon as possible, in order to feel safe from the Russian threat, Armenia does not need this. On the contrary, a NATO member state (Turkey)
North
Atlantic
Treaty
Organization,
http://
www.nato.int/docu/pr/2004/p04-121e.htm 6
Information Centre on NATO in Armenia, http://
www.natoinfo.am/eng/index.php?sub=centre_about 7
Diplomatic
Observer,
http://
www.diplomaticobserver.com/EN/belge/2-1153/ kocaryan-armenia-is-not-going-to-join-nato.html
The views expressed in this article are entirely those of the author. They do not necessarily represent the views of the Atlantic Treaty Association, its members, affiliates or staff.
is a source of danger to Armenia. In its turn, Azerbaijan does not want to deepen relations with NATO either as it may harm the country’s ties with Russia.
About the authors
Though the three South Caucasus states have different positions on NATO, they have one thing in common – the European
Tevan A. Poghosyan
integration, which is an important factor that contributes to
Tevan A. Poghosyan is Executive Director of the Interna-
NATO-South Caucasus cooperation. The European integration is
tional Center for Human Development in Armenia as well as
one of the main goals of the foreign policies of Armenia, Azer-
Executive Director of the Armenian Atlantic Association (AAA)
baijan and Georgia. As NATO is an important organization in the
and lecturer at the Armenian Russian States (Slavonic) Univer-
European system, close relations and the integration into the
sity. Prior to this, he has also worked for the Central Bank of
Alliance can represent a huge step towards the EU.
Armenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno-
As for Armenia, NATO membership is not on the agenda today as the Alliance’s role is not efficient enough to solve re-
Karabakh Republic.
Rozy Kopyan
gional conflicts and to maintain peace and stability in South Cau-
Rozy Kopyan is an MA candidate in International Relations
casus. In this context, the former Foreign Minister of Armenia
at Yerevan State University. She is also member of the Young
Vartan Oskanyan once stated: “Neither Armenia is ready to join
Armenian Atlantic Association.
Atlantic Voices, Volume 2, Issue 8
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