YEREVAN. – Armenia expects from NATO a balanced approach to the South Caucasus, especially in terms of conflicting parties, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said during the Yerevan-hosted Rose-Roth seminar.

The Minister believes the Alliance has to be open to all partners providing equal opportunities to the regional countries. Mr. Ohanyan underlined importance of Armenia-NATO cooperation and the possibility of view exchange that is provided by Rose-Roth seminar. The security in the South Caucasus cannot be considered beyond international context.

“Different approaches of the regional states are posing a real threat to security in the South Caucasus. They have different approaches on security and energy systems that are directed against each other,” he added.

In addition to traditional threats, extremism has become a key problem, Mr. Ohanyan said, adding that “the so-called Islamic State managed to expand influence in a short period of time”.

“Turkey and Iran are in some way involved in the events surrounding the ISIS. There is confirmed evidence that among the militants fighting for ISIS are Azerbaijani extremists. In this situation, Armenia builds its security system in the multi-vector format,” the Minister emphasized.

However, being a CSTO member, Armenia continues active cooperation with NATO and separate member states of the organization, considering this collaboration as an integral part of its security.

“Armenia's security is built on comparisons to ensure maximum security. The interests of Russia and the United States, the CSTO and NATO, Iran and the West are not contradicting here. On the contrary, Armenia is the only CSTO member which has been actively involved in all the operations carried out by NATO on the consolidation of peace and stability since 2004,” the Minister said.

Over the years, by achieving image of a reliable partner, Armenia has become an investor into the establishment of international peace and stability. Armenia, together with the Italian military contingent, is actively involved in UN peacekeeping operations in Lebanon as part of UNIFIL, and is preparing to send an Armenian officer to Mali.