“What happened during April War of the last year was a historical event, a terrible event was suspended”, says David Shahnazaryan, “NATO will expand, let us hope that Georgia will join NATO”
During the seminar entitled “NATO as a stabilizing power in South Caucasus: The current challenges and advances in the region”, organized for Armenian journalists from June 10 to11 by the Regional Studies Center together with the Conrad Adenauer Foundation with assistance of the NATO Public Diplomacy Division, a speech was held by David Shahnazaryan, Special Presidential Envoy from 1992 to 95s, Armenia’s National Security Service head from 1994 to 95s, a leading analyst at the Regional Studies Center.
“A lot of politicians say that NATO provides the EU security, this is not correct, NATO provides solely the security of its member states… All the accusations implying that NATO has expanded, I do not think so, the countries eastwards from NATO have made everything to make NATO expand for them to join NATO because historically they had found out that the Russian Federation threatens their statehood and territorial integrity. NATO is a security”: told the speaker recalling a remarkable story. A couple of years ago in Georgia, David Shahnazaryan, started a conversation with the store clerk, who said that they wanted to join NATO. When Shahnazaryan asked why, he received such a response: “Because the 5th Article exists there”, and when Shahnazaryan asked what did that 5th Article entail, the Georgian clerk explained: “If we are attacked, NATO member states are obliged to protect us. Let us mention that pursuant to the 5th Article of NATO Charter, attack against one of NATO members means attack against the Alliance. As stated by David Shahnazaryan, Georgia has been ready for NATO membership since long ago: “NATO will expand and let us hope that Georgia will join NATO. Georgia is much more democratic country that a lot of European countries. NATO is a security not merely according to its member states, but the states striving to become a member.”
Turkey’s withdrawal from NATO is not in the interests of Armenia
David Shahnazaryan considers the conversations as if Turkey can leave NATO absolutely groundless. “No one in Turkey thinks of it. Turkey is NATO’s and first and foremost – the US’ most important partner. Turkey’s withdrawal from NATO is not in the interests of Armenia. As much as Turkey is integrated into such international institutions, as much it will be predictable, ad what else do we need? We need a predictable Turkey. Yes, it is in Armenia’s interests that Turkey becomes an EU member. We need a predictable and stable Turkey, and thank God, that Turkey is in NATO. Besides, Armenia shares a border with NATO. The Soviet Union had two borders with NATO one was the Armenian-Turkish border and the other was in Norway, they were the borders with the most strict control”,
Armenia should not take drastic measures but should work actively
David Shahnazaryan believes that Armenia has no right to make sudden, turning steps today. “Armenia should not take sudden steps, but should work actively. Actively but not sharply, for example, relative to the same Karabakh issue, no chairing country of OSCE Minsk Group should take the helm of settlement alone”: said Shanazaryan adding that he does not even have any doubt that Armenia will join NATO. To the question when it may happen, he answered “At the right moment”. And in response to the question what are the grounds for such optimism that Armenia will ever join NATO, Shahnazaryan briefly answered: “I have no doubt that it will happen, historically there is no other way.”
Referring to the appointment of Vigen Sargsyan as the Minister of Defense, David Shahnazaryan noted that all force institutions were controlled by civilians but shortly after assuming the office they quit their party membership. “The Constitution provides that opportunity now, and I strongly believe that it is a right approach. I myself assess it positively. Yes, the defense minister must be a politician and must represent his policy. And now I see – what existed legally but actually, to put it mildly, did not operate that much – that is, the separation of the functions of the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense in all developed countries, all the countries that have effective protection system, is as mentioned. Now I notice that it works, the reforms commenced after Vigen Sargsyan was appointed and I give a positive evaluation to it”: told the speaker.
Addressing the April War, Davit Shahnazaryan noted that one cannot compare what it was a year ago to what it is now. “What happened last year, in April, was a major historical event for us, because the most terrible events were prevented. Please, do not measure it by 800 hectares, it is not relevant to measure it as said”: he added. He then reminded the Stockholm Peace Institute data, according to which over the past seven years Azerbaijan has purchased 20 times more weapons than Armenia. What is the main conclusion of the April War of the last year, what is the main conclusion of the April war of the last year? Asked Shahnazaryan and added: “Despite the tremendous disbalance that exists between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan failed to have a significant achievement. This is the main conclusion of April War. That does not mean that it is better for us. God forbid the day to be considered that everything is fine in the field of the protection; starting from the president to the last officer will resign”, noted Shahnazaryan.
Emma GABRIELYAN
