Armenian Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan met with NATO Special Representative for the South Caucasus Robert Simmons. The parties noted the importance of Armenia’s peacekeeping mission, specifically in Kosovo, RA Defense Minister’s Spokesman, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net. Armenian peacekeepers received the highest estimation, he said.
Mikael Harutyunyan and Robert Simmons discussed the possibility of participation of Armenian doctors in NATO peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan (ISAF). At that the mission of the Armenian doctors will be exclusively humanitarian.
The interlocutors exchanged views on reforms in the defense sector provided by the Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), attraction of civic personnel, transparency of Defense Ministry’s activities, information field development, further participation of Armenian peacekeepers in international operations.
Mikael Harutyunyan informed that the institute of Military Ombudsman will be formed in Armenia in the near future.
The parties also referred to the RA military doctrine, which is of big importance for development of bilateral cooperation. “Partnership with NATO doesn’t compete with other security systems. On the contrary, all NATO efforts are targeted at cooperation, including observance of Armenia’s interests,” Mr Simmons said.
When commenting on Azerbaijan’s intention to quit the CFE Treaty, Mr Simmons said NATO supports all provisions of the Treaty, which ensures stability and security in the region. “NATO will soon consider the moratorium on the agreement between Russia and Azerbaijan,” he said.
