Mher Shahgeldyan
Deputy Chairman of Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) Party
Background Information
1. Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) Party
2. The party was founded in 1997. It counts up to 30 thousand members. It has local subdivisions in all
the regions of the country.
3. The party is represented in the Parliament by 21 deputies according to the proportional and majority
systems. It has three ministerial portfolios in the government, and six deputy ministers. It has 2 governors
in the regional administrations and three deputy governors.
Answers
1. Armenia is increasingly extending its cooperation with NATO. We take part in different NATO programs,
in particular, are widely involved in the Partnership for Peace program. In addition, Armenia has presented
the program of individual partnership with NATO. At the same time, Armenia declares its desire not to
participate in the military structures of NATO but to widen its participation in security, in a broad
sense of the word, programs. We think that our cooperation with NATO has a very dynamic and positive
character and we will definitely move in this direction. Armenia already participates in the peace making
operations in Kosovo and Iraq. Our party thinks that Armenia should be integrated into NATO. Development
of our relations with the USA is also very important.
We become integrated into European structures, and it is one of the main vectors of our foreign policy.
Armenia is a full member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. A temporary committee
dealing with the European integration issues has been formed in the National Assembly of Armenia, which
works on bringing Armenian laws in compliance with the European standards, and this is highly appreciated
by the European structures. The leader of our party who is the speaker of the Parliament declares the
European line in the foreign policy. The CoE leadership positively evaluated the legislative work of
the Armenian Parliament on matching the legislative bases of the Republic of Armenia with those of Europe.
We have passed laws, which we have made a commitment to adopt, and now we are moving towards constitutional
reforms and modifications in the Electoral Code. In this respect we are moving very dynamically.
2. The integration policy is a matter of geo-strategy and cultural closeness, and a stimulus for development
of NGOs, a democratic state and its economy. At the same time, not only Armenia is noticed to move towards
EU but also EU is moving towards the South Caucasus. These are counter-movements. There are also historic
ties bringing Armenia closer to the European Union. If we take into account the very close historical
ties of the Cilician Kingdom with the Christian European world, then by itself the integration process
is very rich and has different directions. However, no one pushes us there by force and we think that
the way of European integration is a great stimulus for our political and economic development.
3. First of all they can contribute to introduction of the European norms into social, societal and
political relations, to perception of the European democratic culture as well as integration into European
political institutes. I also want to mention the possibility of economic cooperation. Here the matter
is not only the receipt of pecuniary aid, but in the possibility of exporting goods to Europe. The interaction
with the European structures, of course, contributes to NATO membership, too. At the same time, Europe,
in addition to development of foreign and defense policy within the framework of NATO, creates its own
approaches to strategic, military and political cooperation. Europe has its own lines of foreign policy
and here we can cooperate too.
4. I would not say that there are very serious obstacles for integration. The conflict situations
in the region are not a hindrance to us. We are determinedly moving towards EU integration and from this
perspective the legislative base and the democratization of the political life are important aspects
to us. By the way, the last resolution on the democratic situation in Armenia has been positive for us
Integration to NATO has two components – political and operative compatibility of the armed forces. From
the perspective of operative compatibility of the armed forces some sub-units in Armenia, in contrast
to the armed sub-units of our neighbors have high fighting efficiency and comply with the criteria put
forward by NATO. But the matter here is to a higher degree political, and NATO, which is expanding in
the region, advocates for an equal approach, which is a positive fact. From this perspective, equal cooperation
with NATO is very important to us. There is certainly a problem with Turkey which is one of the biggest
NATO member countries, and it is blockading us. However, people in Armenia understand that NATO, which
in fact is becoming a global organization, is not just Turkey, even for our region; nevertheless, the
blockade on the part of Turkey negatively influences public opinion.
5. In our party the concept of “European standard” implies norms and practice of political life, laws,
rules of a game, standards of political culture, traditions. This is also connections in the sphere of
education, because education is a means through which it is possible to prepare people to obtain European
mentality but retain their traditions and national identity. Our party’s and the governmental standpoints
are in the same direction here.
6. The foreign policy of such small countries as ours can and must reflect the will of the society.
The main strategic points regarding national identity and interests can be and are resolved under the
influence of the public opinion.
7. The complementary policy does not face misunderstandings on the part of Russia, the USA and EU.
Russia and NIS cooperate with NATO and strive for integration with the European structures. The Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Euro-Atlantic structures consider fighting against drug trafficking,
prevention of organized crime and fight against terrorism among the most important priorities.
Russia is our strategic partner. Previously, our relations were more concentrated in the military and
political sphere. At this point, we think that it is necessary to develop economic relations. At the
same time, Armenia develops relations with its neighbor Iran, with which we have normal partnership relations.
We should not forget about the considerably large Armenian Diaspora both in Russia and in Iran which
is an important factor, too. Armenia cooperates with China and India, and the states of the South Eastern
Asia, the Near East, and Arab countries. One does not exclude the other. Armenia can be a bridge between
the East and the West, the North and the South, and also between the Balkans and the Middle East, and
from this perspective the role of the connecting link is very important. This is the philosophy we will
be led by.
8. If we speak of a complete integration into the European structures, of creation of the future common
European system of safety and security, then it is one of the most important vectors. But it is a long
process. The European integration of not only Armenia but all other countries of the region, as well
as of Russia and Turkey, will be of considerable significance to the common security and stability system.
In general, we are for creation of security systems in the South Caucasus, which up to now has faced
resistance on the Azerbaijani part.
9. In fact I cannot see a common approach to the countries of the South Caucasus. There is one common
approach – the readiness for resolution of all conflict situations only peacefully. I cannot see resistance
towards the standard. It is very important to keep the national identity in every day life and family
relations. In this sphere the European structures naturally do not put forward any conditions. There
were debates about alternative military service but they were caused by security issues and we passed
the corresponding law.
January 26, 2005
