ArmInfo. NATO is interested in strong Armenia. Head of the NATO Liaison Office in the Caucasus Rosaria Puglisi stated this on March 14 in Yerevan at the opening of an international conference on strengthening honor and dignity in the Armed Forces, which takes place during the NATO Week in Armenia.
"Armenia has been participating in the program since 2013, and this program is designed to help partner countries change from within to fight corruption. I don't see a better way to help Armenia, especially after the velvet revolution," Puglisi said.
According to the representative of NATO, the program is well developed and in demand; 20 countries participate in it, including 8 members of the North Atlantic Alliance.
At the same time, Puglisi noted with satisfaction the new impulse given to the program. "The process has been somewhat delayed. But now we are entering a new stage. Strong Armenia is in the interests of NATO. The self-assessment process was conducted in 2014-2015, the results were analyzed in 2016. Close cooperation with Armenia continues. The Alliance acknowledges that corruption is a threat, it reflects on trust in the army, affects management, we understand the difficulties and challenges facing the country. Armenia has expressed a commitment to the process. For our part, we are ready to contribute. Armenia has already gained some positive experience in improving management, "the NATO representative said. In turn, the German Ambassador to Armenia Matthias Kiesler expressed the conviction that NATO's week was a success in the important period for the country. "Germany has more than half a century of experience in building the Armed Forces and has the same experience in strengthening discipline, honor and dignity. Problems were at the initial stage, they still exist. Because all problems cannot be solved, the process is consistent. We must work constantly," the diplomat said.
To note, the conference is being held at the Ministry of Defense within the framework of the NATO program and the NATO week in Armenia. Representatives of the Defense Ministry of Armenia and NATO, experts from France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria take part in its work. The participants of the conference will consider the issues of the fight against corruption, management reforms.