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“NO QUESTION IS LEFT ASIDE”

Politics

The Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) signed between Armenia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation requires to “guarantee freedom of press, expression and rallies.”

On June 27 Jean-Francois Bureau, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, met Armenian journalists.

In reply to A1+'s question how the NATO treats the Armenian authorities' rejection to the opposition rallies, Mr. Bureau said, “We strongly believe that the Armenia-NATO relations will still deepen with regard to protection of human rights, freedom of press and progress of democracy. The commitments Armenia assumed within the framework of the Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO include ensuring democratic freedoms in the country. We realize that the Armenian authorities still have to work long in the direction of ensuring full democratic freedoms. I see that Armenia's authorities are willing to further the relations. The willingness was also felt in Brussels. The Foreign Ministers expressed readiness to strengthen the cooperation. Generally, the deeper the relations are, the more available the information will be.”

Asked whether the right to rallies stipulated by the IPAP is not breached in Armenia, Mr. Bureau said, “We think there is still much to be done in this respect. We have had a discussion with the ministers and their voiced readiness. We shall see to the commitment of the IPAP recommendations.”

In reply to A1+'s question whether the March 1 occurrences affected the Armenia-NATO relations, Mr. Bureau said: “The question was raised during a May meeting. It was discussed by the delegations and the representatives of ministries. I must say that the discussions are open. No question regarding democracy can be left aside.”

The NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy assured the presentees that the organisation cooperates with all South Caucasian countries and welcomes all proposals which will enhance regional partnership. “We know that all countries of the region face some problems but the NATO aims to maintain peace and stability in the region,” said Mr. Bureau.