Regional challenges discussed in NATO PA 108th Rose-Roth Seminar

The work of the NATO PA 108^th Rose-Roth Seminar continues in Yerevan. The reports referred to the topic Armenia and the South Caucasus in a shifting world: Strengthening Democracy and Regional Security.

Ideas were exchanged within the framework of the topic Geopolitical Competition and Internal Challenges in the South Caucasus.

The Senior Analyst for the South Caucasus, International Crisis Group Joshua Kucera and the Founding Director of the Regional Studies Center (RSC) Richard Giragosian spoke about the current geopolitical realities, relations between the countries of the region and answered the participants' questions. The efforts to establish long and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus were highlighted.

The Head of NATO Liaison Office in Georgia and NATO Liaison Officer for the South Caucasus Alexander Vinnikov expressed viewpoint on the topic the Partnership of the Republic of Armenia with the NATO and the European Union. Alexander Vinnikov touched upon the Armenia-NATO beneficial cooperation, noting that after the velvet revolution happened in 2018, Armenia showed bigger interest to show the cooperation with the alliance. "NATO is committed to supporting Armenia to strengthen its state structures to deepen reforms and raise resistance levels," the rapporteur underscored.

He documented that bilateral cooperation provides tangible results for Armenia and NATO. "Our agenda may become even more ambitious in the future," the rapporteur opined that there are opportunities for new initiatives, including the fight against border management, demining and protection of critical infrastructure.

Speaking about Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, Alexander Vinnikov noted that the NATO calls on the parties to sign and ratify the agreed text of the peace agreement. According to the speaker, the Alliance also welcomes progress in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Türkiye. "All this contributes to having a more stable environment in the region, from which all the South Caucasus benefits," the rapporteur said, concluding his speech.

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Armenia Vassilis Maragos spoke in detail from the perspectives of deepening EU-Armenia relations, noted that they had reached an unprecedented level. "The relations between Armenia with the EU have never been so strong, as they are now," the Ambassador said.

A special resilience and growth programme is envisaged by the new Armenia-EU partnership agenda. 270 million euros support to Armenia's resilience, economic development, diversity of the economy, as well as make Armenia closer to Europe.

The Ambassador detailed the directions of cooperation designed by the RA-EU Comprehensive and Advanced Agreement for the implementation of reforms in a number of areas - from security to visas.

According to Vassilis Maragos, the EU supports the normalization of peace relations in the region. He added that the European Union welcomed the Crossroads of Peace project by the RA Government, which will make serious benefits not only for Armenia but the whole region.

"Armenia and the residents of Armenia can continue expecting support from the EU in all processes of reforms, as well as making the peace agenda a reality. We are hopeful that our cooperation will continue," the Ambassador concluded.

Within the framework of the topic, there were speeches and observations, In Q&A session.

The work of the Seminar will continue on September 23.