On October 8, the third, last working day of the “Rose Roth” 61st seminar organized by NATO PA and RA NA began with the discussion of the issue “Regional Cooperation in South Caucasus.”
Vahan Hovhannisyan, RA NA Vice President, delivered a speech. Highlighting the holding of the seminar and the effectiveness of the discussions, in his speech he elaborated on the regional cooperation problems, noting, in particular that Turkey, blockading Armenia, continuously broke the Kars agreement, according to which, the railway and the other means of communication should be kept, providing the free, transit transportation of the people and goods without obstacles. After gaining independence, refusing establishing diplomatic relations with our country, Turkey continuously has broken another clause of the Kars agreement, according to which, consular conventions should be concluded between the sides, i.e. breaking the treaty, Turkey itself demands Armenia to recognize it. Touching upon the issue of recognizing the Genocide in the world, Vahan Hovhannisyan pointed out that one of the goals of making it internationally recognized is that Turkey should reconcile with its history, guarantee its neighbours and its people that won’t repeat such crime against humankind. What refers to the accusation of Armenia in occupying the 20% of the territory of Azerbaijan, Turkey has occupied more than 36% of Cyprus for 30 years, and has no moral right to accuse the others in occupation. Without identifying the Artsakh problem with Cyprus problem, Mr. Hovhannisyan noted that Karabakh was voluntarily ousted from the Soviet Armenia by the Soviet Union and returned to Armenia after the collapse of the USSR, in the result of the war that initiated Azerbaijan. As long Turkey stands next to Azerbaijan in this matter, so long time will be requied for achieving peaceful solution. The hostile policy of Turkey towards Armenia more deepens the complicated situation in the region. 
Touching upon EU-Turkey negotiations, Mr. Hovhannisyan noted that the process in some sense can be useful for Armenia but it’s not understandable how the integration will be carried out: to join the European community without repentance, become a part of Europe, is impossible.
Dennis Sammut, the Executive Director of LINKS (South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative), considered necessary the regional cooperation, underscoring that the process should go on by two stages. First of all, contacts, which will pave a basis for the deepening of the relations, then – cooperation. In his opinion, the Karabakh conflict is not the only obstacle in the development of the regional cooperation. According to the speaker, the contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan should be developed with bilateral and multi-lateral formats, which will result in the regional contacts. In Mr. Sammut’s opinion, it’s necessary that the sides to undertake constructive steps, refusing even today’s positions, beginning contacts under the flag of the third state, which was widely applied in international practice. In his opinion, the establishment of the Armenian-Azeri inter-governmental council will also promote the holding of the dialogue, as well as the cooperation within the framework “EU-New Neighbourhood.”
Halil Berktay, historian, lecturer at Sabanci University of Istanbul, touched upon in his speech in detail the events taken place in 1915, noting that the ghost of the 1915 Genocide pursues Turkey and Azerbaijan. Mr. Berktay finds that despite Turkey’s claims, the leadership of the Ottoman Turkey carried out the Armenians’ deportation and persecution, and it’s undeniable and doubtless that Genocide of the Armenians took place. And why the Turkish authorities don’t accept the fact, in the scientist’s opinion, the reason is that being denied the fact of the Genocide for decades, it’s difficult psychologically today to accept it, it’s difficult to reverse a trend. He is convinced that it’s necessary to help Turkey in this matter, to take out of the psychological pit, and not force.
Edik Barseghyan, head of the Department for Emergency Situations adjunct to RA Government, gave a speech on theme “Cooperation in the Sphere of the Management of the Emergency Situations.” He highlighted the regional open cooperation in regional security and emergency situations, noting that numerous steps were undertaken in that direction: a number of bilateral and multi-lateral agreements were concluded.
At the final part of the seminar on the theme “Russia’s Role in South Caucasus” Alexander Fomenko (Russia), Iralkli Toronjadze (Chief Councilor of the National Security Council of Georgia), Leyla Aliyeva (Chairman of the Center for National and International Courses) gave speeches. Irakli Toronjadze said in particular that Russia hasn’t been oriented in the region in his interests, in particular towards Georgia, observing it as a source of danger. In his opinion the actions of Russia are of spontaneous and sudden 
character. In Leyla Aliyev’s opinion, Russia has difficulties in the region in the sense of its influence, and the aspirations are high. Russia isn’t attractive for the countries of the region, so their aspiration towards West will increase. Mrs. Aliyeva also said that Russia doesn’t play well its peaceful role in the region.
After long-lasting discussions the participants of the seminar came to a conclusion that the seminar was rather effective in the aspect of hearing viewpoints, specifying them.
With this the “Rose Roth” 61st three-day seminar on the theme “Security in the South Caucasus” organized by NATO PA and RA NA finished its works in Yerevan.
