ArmInfo. The Armenian authorities expect that the international community and countries that have leverage will increasingly increase pressure on Azerbaijan in order to prevent a new explosion of violence in the region. Sargis Khandanyan, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, stated on September 7 in a conversation with journalists in the RA NA.
"You know that the situation has become quite aggravated, considering the fact that Azerbaijan is mobilizing additional forces both around Nagorno-Karabakh and near the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. In this situation, we are working with all those partners who can use certain levers of influence and put pressure on Azerbaijan to return to peace talks or be more constructive in these talks," Khandanyan said. The MP added that at this point Armenia does not raise the issue of withdrawing from the CSTO, although the CSTO "washed its hands and actually left Armenia." "The CSTO demonstrates inaction towards our country," Khandanyan emphasized, adding that the main guarantor of RA's security is the RA Armed Forces.
Touching upon the possibility of Armenia joining NATO, the MP called to put aside illusions. <There are countries in which there are no conflicts, these are the most peace-loving countries in the world, but they also have problems joining the Alliance. How do you imagine Armenia joining NATO in the near future? "I just don't see such a possibility, either technically or politically," the parliamentarian said.
When asked whether the Armenian authorities have such a desire, he replied that the RA government has never declared its desire to join NATO. "But you know that there is cooperation with the Alliance in various fields, especially within the framework of educational and other joint activities," the parliamentarian emphasized. Answering a question about the Rome Statute, Khandanyan replied that the document was submitted to the country's parliament without any reservations.