ARMENIA SHOWS INTEREST IN MILITARY COOPERATION WITH BELARUS

National Legal Internet Portal, Belarus
Oct 11 2005

Armenia shows great interest in development of the military and
military-technical cooperation with Belarus, first deputy defense
minister – head of the main staff of the Armenian army Colonel-General
Mikhail Arutiunian stated in Minsk October 10.

Analyzing the talks with head of the general staff of the Armed Forces
of Belarus Lieutenant-General Sergei Gurulev, Mikhail Arutiunian noted
that “the two sides discussed a wide range of issues, especially on
the CSTO military constituent”. “We showed mutual understanding in
many issues”, he underlined.

The Armenian party is interested in training of its military in
Belarus, the record of military reforming, modernization of the
military equipment, in particular, new automated control systems. “As
yet the issue of Karabakh has been unsolved and we cannot curtail the
army and should hone the military skills. As for the acquisition of the
new equipment, it should satisfy us in price, technical characteristics
and ability to operate in mountains”, Mikhail Arutiunian said.

The program of the visit of the Armenian delegation includes trip to
the 120th mechanized brigade and the military academy of Belarus.

According to Mikhail Arutiunian the present day meeting is a
preparation to the visit of the defense minister of Belarus Leonid
Maltsev to Armenia, with is due in the end of 2005.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress