ArmenPress
Sept 24 2004

ARMENIA, GREAT BRITAIN SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON DEFENSE
CONTACTS AND COOPERATION

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: The Ministry of Defense of the
United Kingdom and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia
have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Contacts and
Co-operation. The aim of the Memorandum is to further strengthen the
good relations which already exist between the two Ministries, and to
serve as a basis for increased co-operation between them in the field
of defense.
Serge Sarkisian, the Armenian Minister of Defense, and the British
Ambassador to Armenia, Miss Thorda Abbott-Watt, signed the Memorandum
in a short ceremony at the Armenian Ministry of Defense in Yerevan on
Friday, 24 September 2004.
Over the last year the United Kingdom has sponsored places for 16
members of the Armenian Armed Forces to conduct a variety of training
courses outside Armenia, including the first Armenian cadet ever to
attend the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. The British Ministry
of Defense also funds English language training through the
Peacekeeping English Program run by the British Council Armenia in
the Armenian Ministry of Defense.
The Memorandum of Understanding reflects a common recognition
that stable and democratic sovereign states contribute to confidence,
stability and security in Europe as a whole. It will put the existing
co-operation program on a formal footing, and enable Britain and
Armenia to develop further contacts in areas such as the management
of defense in democratic societies, language training, peace support
in humanitarian operations and arms control.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress