Robert Simmons: "NATO doesn't object to Russian base in Armenia"

He is finalizing a two-day visit to Armenia, Itar-Tass reports.

NATO does not insist on the Armenian affiliation, as well as limited contacts with other states, he said. The alliance and Yerevan develop cooperation on the basis of political and economic reforms, which do not contradict Armenia's relations with other countries, he said.

NATO wishes to have good relations with all partners, including Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) members, he said.

Six months have passed since the adoption of the Armenia-NATO individual partnership plan, and an intermediate report on the plan fulfillment will be made at the Brussels meeting of the Armenia-NATO Council on June 14, Simmons said. A final report will be drafted in a year, he added.

A NATO information center will open in Yerevan in accordance with the Armenian government's pledge, he said.

As for Karabakh settlement negotiations, Simmons said that NATO is not taking part in the dialog but hopes that the conflicting parties – Armenia and Azerbaijan – will find a mutually acceptable solution. Simmons said they support the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group for Nagorno Karabakh. It is important for the sides to reach an agreement, and then decide which peacekeepers to invite, he said. NATO is not going to send peacekeepers to the Karabakh conflict zone, he remarked.