LITHUANIA PROPOSING BIGGER DEFENSE ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA

Baltic News Service
June 15, 2006 Thursday 3:06 PM EET

Lithuania has proposed bigger assistance to Armenia in the field
of defense.

The possibility was discussed at a meeting between Lithuanian and
Armenian defense ministers, Gediminas Kirkilas and Serzh Sargsian,
in Vilnius on Thursday.

"Lithuania is ready to assist Armenia in the implementation of goals
stipulated in the Individual Partnership Action Plan," said the acting
Lithuanian defense minister, applauding the progress made by Armenia
in the cooperation with NATO.

At the meeting, Kirkilas assured Sargsian that Lithuania would continue
financing the studies of Armenian military officers in the Lithuanian
Academy of War and the Baltic Defense College.

Kirkilas also suggested a possibility of internships at the Defense
Ministry and the Defense Staff for Armenian officers to learn about
the integrated system of officers and civilians in Lithuania.

Furthermore, the Lithuanian minister informed about appointment of an
adviser to the Armenian council of foreign advisers that will assist in
the assessment of the National Security Strategy worked out by Armenia.

Acting Commander of Field Forces Brigadier General Arvydas Pocius who
was present at the meeting suggested that Armenia may send officers
to the school of petty officers in Kaunas and participate in the
peacekeeping war games Amber Hope 2007 in Lithuania next year.

Armenia had an observer at Amber Hope 2005.