Yerevan is to host a Rose-Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, on June 18-20.
The motto of the seminar is the rise of the Islamic State and its influence on the region and beyond, Koryun Nahapetyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, Parliament of Armenia, told Tert.am.
“In this context, we are going to hold comprehensive discussions with parliamentarians from different countries, and experts will voice their opinions. We cannot remain unconcerned over the issue as it is a most serious challenge to our security,” Mr Nahapetyan said in response to a question concerning new focuses in Armenia’s national security concept in the context of Syria developments.
It is a serious challenge, indeed. And it cannot be ignored in the approved national security concept.
“The further work to revise our official strategy will consider the new challenges, with necessary amendments to be introduced,” Mr Nahapetyan said.
Speaking to Tert.am, Ambassador Arman Navasardyan said he finds the Islamic State’s challenges a greater threat to Armenia compared to Azerbaijan. “While with Azerbaijan, we have certain rules of game, the hazard here is that there is no visible enemy or frontline,” he explained.
Mr Nahapetyan said he knows that no Azerbaijani delegate has so far expressed willingness to take part in the seminar. The preliminary list, sent by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s secretariat. is thought to be very impressive as it includes participants from such countries as Bulgarian, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Georgian, Montenegro and Serbia.
Speeches on behalf of Armenia will be made by the defense and foreign minister, deputy foreign ministers and representatives from different think tanks.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Chair of Global Politics and International Relations at the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University Arman Navasardyan said that certain moments in politics may prove historic for a country.