There is No Question of Joining NATO on Armenia's Agenda, but We Have European Aspirations: Ararat Mirzoyan

In an interview broadcast by Argentine Todos Noticias television and published online, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan discussed various topics, including Armenia's partnership with the European Union and NATO while in Buenos Aires.

Minister Mirzoyan stated, "We are a democratic country and want to strengthen democratic institutions. We see that, for example, the United States and the European Union (EU) are our main partners. We also saw that the EU was ready to send a civilian mission, and the situation at the border has significantly improved; their presence greatly contributes to peace in the region and parts of Armenia."

According to the minister, Russia had sent peacekeepers in 2020 for security monitoring in Nagorno-Karabakh, but numerous attacks on Armenia’s border have occurred since then. "The security mechanisms we had for several decades did not work. Therefore, we needed to request that the EU come and observe the situation. Now we are deepening our economic and political relations with Brussels and Washington. I wouldn’t call it a turning point; we are trying to ensure our security, and for that, we see good partners in the West," Mirzoyan said.

He added that the issues in relations with Russia cannot be hidden. "As for the intention to join NATO, no. That is not something on Armenia's agenda today. In the case of the EU, I can say that Armenians really have European aspirations, and I would like to quote the Prime Minister of Armenia: ‘Armenia is ready to be as close to the EU as the EU considers it possible.’"