Armenia-NATO mutual partnership never been and will not be against ally Russia: Vigen Sargsyan

Armenia’s mutual cooperation with NATO has never been and will not be against the interests of strategic alliance with Russia, Armenia’s Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“Our relations with NATO have always been built obviously open for our ally, partner countries. We have never kept any secret from it, and this mutual cooperation could have never been against the interests of our strategic partnership with Russia,” he said.

He recalled that NATO carries out a number of UN-authorized peacekeeping missions. “Participation in such multinational peacekeeping operations, the knowledge and experience is very important and useful for Armenia. It helps us to form our own peacekeeping opportunities, to have troops, and at the same time, to have more complete picture and understanding of international peacekeeping mission system, as well as taking into account the existing conflicts in our region,” Vigen Sargsyan said, adding that Armenia-NATO action plan is directed towards first of all the development of democratic control system of the armed forces, the strengthening of the component which is built at the parliamentary system, as well as in case of many NATO member states.

“We are carrying out several programs that contribute to the strengthening of our armed forces, and I am confident this will not damage in any way the interests of our allies”, Minister Sargsyan said.