Expert: EU Membership Unthinkable without Joining NATO

Security is a demand of the time and the actual independence of the South Caucasian states decreases. The first steps were worked out at the example of Eastern and Central Europe, military expert Ruben Meghrabyan stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. In his words, it’s time to realize that the membership in the EU is unconceivable without peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, without democratization, regional integration and NATO membership. “The first step should be the formation of a regional organization of neighbor states. This, certainly, should be started with prevention of incitement of hatred between the nations. Second is the close cooperation with the NATO and bringing of the Armed forces in correspondence with the NATO standards. Third is the establishment of proper civic control over the army. This is the minimal complex of tasks that were fulfilled by all the states of ‘new’ Europe that became NATO member states. I think the three South Caucasian states can achieve these goals during next 5-7 years. Political will is essential for it,” Ruben Meghrabyan said. According to him, not army but sensible foreign policy is the guarantor of security for the small South Caucasian states.