Monday, May 2 2016 09:27

Though Armenia is a CSTO member, it pins no hopes on the allies within the Organization, Deputy Chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Armen Ashotyan said at a press conference in Yerevan. 

Ashotyan is convinced that today Armenia lacks any alternative to cooperation with other military blocs, however, he said, Armenia is unlikely to be admitted to NATO. He pointed out the vivid example of Georgia, which has long been striving to join NATO. "Look at Georgia. NATO does not want for Georgia.  Neither does it wait for Armenia," he said, noting that Armenia should rely only on itself. 

At the same time, the RPA deputy chairman criticized those who try to exasperate anti-Russian sentiments in Armenia. "These actions are wrong. Russia remains a military-political and strategic partner of Armenia.  You are also quite well aware of our president's opinion about the sale of the Russian military hardware to Baku," he said. 

Ashotyan thinks it is not correct to demand radical changes in the foreign political agenda of the Armenian Government. "Such steps demonstrate shortsightedness. I think the policy cannot be built on emotions. It is necessary to be sober-minded, taking into account the interests of our own society and state. These days certain political forces in Armenia are trying to create an artificial agenda, but one should not be under their thumb. It is ridiculous to be pro-Western, pro-European or pro-Russian in this situation. We should remember that no one will resolve our problems for us and we have made sure of it during the latest escalation in the Karabakh conflict zone," Ashotyan said.