Politics

"NATO membership is not on RA's agenda." Ararat Mirzoyan

The interview filmed in Buenos Aires with RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan was published on Argentine Todos Noticias TV and online.

Minister Mirzoyan referred to the prospects of expanding cooperation between Armenia and Argentina, the discussions held during the official visit, and the security situation in the South Caucasus. In the context of the latter, it was mentioned the ethnic cleansing carried out by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, the invasions of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, the existing challenges, and the efforts of the Republic of Armenia aimed at solving them.

"There are complications and challenges, of course, but we believe reaching a peace treaty with Azerbaijan is possible. On our part, we are making constructive efforts to find solutions. When we talk about signing a contract, important points must be agreed upon. Among them is the mutual recognition of territorial integrity and the demarcation of borders based on the 1991 Alma-Ata declaration," said the RA Foreign Minister.

Minister Mirzoyan also answered other questions about the partnership with the European Union and NATO.

"We are a democratic country, and we want to strengthen democratic institutions. We see that, for example, the United States and the European Union (EU) are the main partners. We also saw that the EU was ready to send a civilian mission, and the situation at the border improved significantly. Their presence greatly contributes to the peace of the region and part of Armenia," said Mirzoyan.

According to the minister, Russia sent peace guarantors in 2020 to monitor security in Nagorno-Karabakh, but there have been many attacks on the border of Armenia.

"The security mechanisms that we had for several decades did not work. That is why we had to ask the European Union to come and observe the situation. Now, we are deepening economic and political relations with Brussels and Washington. I wouldn't call it a turning point; we are trying to ensure our security, and for that, we see good partners in the West," said Mirzoyan.

According to him, hiding the problems in relations with Russia is impossible.

"As for the intention to join NATO, then no. That is not the point on Armenia's agenda today. In the case of the EU, I can say that Armenians have European aspirations, and I would like to quote the words of the Prime Minister of Armenia: "Armenia is ready to be close to the EU as much as the EU considers it possible."