ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ON ROLE OF COUNCIL OF CIS DEFENSE MINISTERS

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 21 2004

YEREVAN, May 21 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – The Council of
CIS Defense Ministers is one of the most important and effective
structures in the Commonwealth, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
told participants in the council’s session in Yerevan.

The President pointed out the importance of cooperation within the
framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan), Robert Kocharyan’s press service told
RIA Novosti. He believes that such meetings boost bilateral relations.

On his part, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, the council’s
chairman, expressed satisfaction with the session.

According to him, a wide range of issues, mainly military-political
and military-technical cooperation, was considered in Yerevan.

The participants discussed reforms in the CIS armed forces and
technical re-equipment of the armies.

In conclusion, the Armenian President wished them success and service
“in efficient and disciplined armies”.