The normalization of the Turkish-Armenian relations but not only help to reconcile the two nations but also foster NATO’s closer cooperation with Armenia and improve its image in the ex-Soviet republic, an official from the U.S.-led alliance said on Tuesday.
“I think that with the warming of Armenia’s relations with Turkey, the alliance’s [cooperation] opportunities in the country will increase, Zbigniew Rybacki, a NATO liaison officer for the Caucasus, told a news conference in Yerevan.
Rybacki argued that many Armenians still mistrust NATO because of their pro-Russian sentiment and arch-rival Turkey’s membership in the alliance. “Certainly, the not-so-good perception of the alliance within Armenian society has been affected by the lack of relations between your country and Turkey,” he said. “Turkey is a member of NATO and the Armenian population, having this in mind, perceives the alliance through relations or lack of relations with Turkey.”
“Therefore, I believe that as soon as you establish diplomatic relations and open borders with Turkey, in some time -- it’s not going to happen very soon but in some time -- the perception of your population of the alliance will be much better than now,” added Rybacki.
A perceived security threat from Turkey has been the main reason for Armenia’s heavy reliance on Russia for defense and security. The presence of a Russian military presence in the country is a major element of Yerevan’s national security strategy.
Still, Armenia has increasingly sought in recent years to “complement” its military alliance with Russia
Rybacki argued that many Armenians still mistrust NATO because of their pro-Russian sentiment and arch-rival Turkey’s membership in the alliance. “Certainly, the not-so-good perception of the alliance within Armenian society has been affected by the lack of relations between your country and Turkey,” he said. “Turkey is a member of NATO and the Armenian population, having this in mind, perceives the alliance through relations or lack of relations with Turkey.”
“Therefore, I believe that as soon as you establish diplomatic relations and open borders with Turkey, in some time -- it’s not going to happen very soon but in some time -- the perception of your population of the alliance will be much better than now,” added Rybacki.
A perceived security threat from Turkey has been the main reason for Armenia’s heavy reliance on Russia for defense and security. The presence of a Russian military presence in the country is a major element of Yerevan’s national security strategy.
Still, Armenia has increasingly sought in recent years to “complement” its military alliance with Russia