168.am daily had an interview with the former Defense Minister of RA, general-lieutenant, president of “National Renaissance” party Vagharshak Harutyunyan. To the question on the danger of Armenia-CSTO protocols of placing military infrastructures in RA territory, Harutyunyan answered: “Armenia has decided to ensure its security by the help of Russia and CSTO. Other issues are derivatives.”
To the observation whether there is a danger of contradiction with the USA or any member of CSTO in terms of military goals in Armenia, the general-lieutenant replied. “I don’t see any danger. If Armenia decides that it is in its interests to deny any other country outside CSTO the right to place military bases in its territory, it can agree and that’s all. And if Armenia is in a difficult state, there is a mechanism that enables to suspend the protocol. Thus, there is nothing threatening Armenian independence or sovereignty.”
Reminded that there is obvious limit of sovereignty Armenia gives up to CSTO Vagharshak Harutyunyan answered: “It would be great if Armenia were able to ensure its security by itself. But neither its economic potential, nor human resources enable us to solve the issue. Countries like Germany or Japan have bases of other states in their territories. The presence of bases of other states doesn’t put limits on sovereignty; rather you sacrifice a part of it for the sake of country’s security. Armenia did it on purpose.”
Referring to the cooperation with NATO and Russia, the politician said: “Russia has proved to be a reliable partner, but another military-political coalition that can help us is NATO. But whether NATO is ready to take up the protection of Armenian security. We have a good example, it’s Georgia. It’s several years Georgia has been cooperating with NATO, but it fails to become its member. And Russian-Georgia war showed that NATO is not guarantee of security. Thus, there are no grounds even to reflect on.”
