NATO's cooperation with partners is not directed against the interests of Russia, Jasper Wieck, the head of the political department of permanent representation of the Federal Republic of Germany in NATO, said during the May 22 press conference in Yerevan. He said this when asked to explain why Moscow was blamed for bringing about the Nagorno-
Karabakh conflict and non-willingness to settle it during the NATO PA Plenary Session.
According to the German diplomat, the plenary session provides a showdown of opinions - this allows considering all the approaches and choosing the most acceptable alternate - this is a hallmark of a true democracy.
"Sometimes we can hear about stances with which we agree, sometimes we hear such opinions that are alien to us. I have been participating in such discussions for two years and I can imagine how heated the discussions were. In this case I believe the parliament was simply carrying out its mission", he said.
In his turn, Head of NATO Office in Georgia William Lahue said that the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO is not a part of NATO - it is a separate organization comprising parliamentarians of the partner- countries, including Armenia.
"NATO's cooperation with partner-countries is based on the principle of sovereignty. This means, the actions are aimed at contributing to these sovereign states in respect of security upgrade. This partnership is not directed against the interests of Russia", said Lahue adding that the actions were based on the interests of sovereign states and their wish to cooperate with NATO.
He also said that on May 22 discussions were held on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, as well as Russia's growing military rhetoric, which carries a threat for partner-countries.
"In this respect NATO has taken the decision to increase the financial aid to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova", summed up NATO representative