Tuesday, March 26 2024 13:37

ArmInfo.The recent visit by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Athens and the subsequent  visit by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias to Yerevan comes as a result of the boost in bilateral relations, while diplomatic circles stress that the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries affects the wider regional dynamics. 

In an exclusive interview with Kathimerini, Pashinyan expressed  gratitude to the Greek people for their concrete support during the  war in Nagorno-Karabakh, while praising the importance of expanding  military-technical cooperation, which is limited to the level of  knowledge exchange and joint projects. 

Pashinyan also discusses the commercial interconnection of the  Caspian and Black Sea with the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf, a  project that has been named "Crossroads of Peace," while declaring  Armenia's intention to lift border restrictions with Turkey and  consolidate his country's cooperation with the European Union.

In your meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, you  highlighted the "Crossroads of Peace" project for the creation of a  trade hub that will run from Armenia westwards through Turkey to the  Mediterranean Sea and Greece. How would your proposed plan promote  regional stability and security in the Caucasus to the Mediterranean?

The contribution to the establishment of lasting peace and stability  in the South Caucasus is a top priority for the Republic of Armenia.  In the process of the desired change, Armenia stresses the need to  remove the blockade of infrastructure in the region. The "Crossroads  of Peace" project includes, inter alia, a significant increase in the  capacity to transport goods, cars, electricity transmission  pipelines, and Internet cables between the Black Sea on the one hand  and the Persian Gulf as well as the Gulf of Oman on the other,  passing through the territories of Armenia. The project also  envisages the creation of a rail link between the above-mentioned  final destinations, which is possible if Armenia-Azerbaijan relations  are normalized. It should be remembered that the optimal railway  route from Georgia entering Armenia and continuing to the Islamic  Republic of Iran passes through Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan, which has  existed since the Soviet Union. This is the north-south wing of the  "Crossroads of Peace."

Still, there is the east-west wing, which can connect the Caspian Sea  to the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the Turkish Black Sea ports  through the territory of Armenia. For this, highways, railways,  pipelines, power transmission lines, and cables must enter Turkey  from Azerbaijan through Armenia. And we are ready to provide such  solutions. 

So, for the operation of all these infrastructures we have adopted  the commonly accepted principles in the "Crossroads" of Peace  project, which are as follows: a) all infrastructures are under the  sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries through which they  pass; b) each country implements border and customs control on its  territory through its state institutions, as well as takes the  necessary measures for its security; c) the designated  infrastructures can be used for both international and domestic  transport; d) finally, all countries use the infrastructure for the  transport of goods.

The recent war in Nagorno-Karabh has highlighted the necessity of  international cooperation and defense partnerships, with Greece  standing by the Armenian people by providing humanitarian aid.  With  regional risks and threats on the rise, what does the defense  memorandum you signed with your counterpart signify? 

Since the early years of the independence of the Republic of Armenia,  the Armenian people have always enjoyed the support of Greece. I take  this opportunity, once again, to express my gratitude to the Greek  people and the Greek government for standing by us and supporting us  in difficult times.

There is a long tradition of cooperation in the defense sector. In  December last year (2023), the military- technical cooperation  agreement between the two governments was signed, which entails the  exchange of experience, knowledge and the development of joint  projects. Many Armenian cadets have the opportunity to study in Greek  educational institutions: these are just some of the points of  cooperation in this field, and currently, regular military exercises  are carried out. Despite the excellent cooperation in the defense  sector, there is great potential for further development. In the near  future, we hope that cooperation in this direction will be expanded. 

I should mention that Armenia's cooperation with its partners in the  defense sector is not directed against any country. The development  of Armenia's defense capabilities is aimed at protecting Armenia's  independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and guarding its  borders.

The recent signing of the "Declaration on friendly relations and good  neighborliness" between Greece and Turkey has reduced the tension  between the two countries. As Turkey's eastern neighbor, have you  noticed the decrease in regional tension and in inflammatory  statements? 

Turkey is a regional player and it is natural to expect that it  should have a balanced position on the various developments in the  region. No less attention is paid to Turkey's official rhetoric,  which can both promote and jeopardize the processes. On the other  hand, Armenia expects that Turkey's rhetoric will not be aimed at  increasing regional tensions, but will contribute to promoting  dialogue and cooperation in the region.

As you know, Armenia and Turkey have started the process of  normalization of relations, which is aimed at establishing diplomatic  relations between the countries and the full opening of borders. In  the framework of this process, an agreement was reached on the  opening of the Armenian-Turkish land borders for citizens of third  countries and persons with diplomatic passports. So, we really  believe that the implementation of this agreement will have a  positive impact on regional dynamics as well.

I have to say that the developments between Greece and Turkey prove  once again that it is possible to overcome differences and form a  mutually beneficial agenda of cooperation between the neighbors.

Armenia recently froze its participation in the Russian Collective  Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), while Russia's soft stance on  the Azeri attack has raised concerns among your citizens.  Given  these facts, are you willing to adopt a more Western approach to  international politics?

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), in our  assessment, has not fulfilled its security obligations to the  Republic of Armenia, specifically in the period 2021-2022. The  practical result (of this policy of the CSTO) is that we have  effectively frozen our participation in the organization. As of  September 2023, we do not have a permanent representative in the  CSTO, and we do not participate in the CSTO negotiations at the high  and highest level. However, we do not block the decisions of the  CSAA, but neither do we participate in them. 

Turning to the second part of the question, I can note that Armenia  is open to establishing and developing mutually beneficial relations  with all partners and has a clear position on the establishment of  stable and lasting peace in the region. To this end, we are  diversifying our relations on security issues.

The Armenian community in Greece has more than 30,000 members, many  of whom excel in the arts, academia and even engaging in politics.  What initiatives are being considered to enhance people-to-people  exchanges and cultural cooperation between Armenia and Greece?

You are right. Both the Armenian community living in Greece and the  Greek community living in Armenia are an important factor in  strengthening our bilateral relations. It is important that the  existing strong historical relations are strengthened by the contacts  of the new generations of Armenians and Greeks, and we must take  steps to create opportunities for mutual recognition. In this regard,  I would like to stress the importance of both tourism, which is  perhaps the best opportunity to strengthen people-to-people relations  and joint scientific and educational programs. In the near future, it  is planned to sign a new program of bilateral cooperation in the  field of education, which will provide new opportunities for  student-faculty exchanges. Recently, a cooperation agreement was  signed between the Armenian Government and the Democritus University  of Thrace, where the Armenian Language and Culture Centre will  operate. In the near future, a number of other joint initiatives in  the scientific and cultural fields are planned, which will contribute  to the strengthening of bilateral cultural relations.

Of course, in order to intensify people-to-people contact, it is  necessary that negotiations on the liberalization of the visa regime  with EU countries be successful. Armenia has been ready to implement  this process for a long time.

How do you envision the future development of the bilateral relations  between Armenia and Greece and what is your message to the Greek  people?

Relations between Armenia and Greece are based on a shared history  and long-standing friendship, as well as a commitment to common  values. It is in this context that we are also considering further  development of bilateral relations. Armenia believes that its  development can be achieved directly through the improvement of  democratic institutions, while we are also trying to develop our  cooperation with European institutions: first of all, with the  European Union. In this direction, Greece's experience and support  are very important to us. So, I believe that the deepening of  bilateral relations in all directions will prepare the ground for the  development of close cooperation between Armenia and Greece to a  higher strategic level.  In conclusion, I would like to wish the  friendly Greek people peace, prosperity and progress.