INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON DEFENCE REFORMS ENDS IN ARMENIA
Mediamax news agency
7 Feb 07
Yerevan, 7 February: Armenian Deputy Defence Minister Lt-Gen Artur
Aghabekyan highly rated the international seminar on defence reforms
which completed its work in Yerevan today.
Aghabekyan said that "during the three days [of the conference]
officers of the Armenian armed forces gained lots of useful knowledge
about the similar reforms implemented in the Baltic countries and in
Eastern Europe," Mediamax reported.
He noted that at the current stage the creation of civilian positions
in the Defence Ministry’ structure is the most important direction
of the defence reforms under way in Armenia.
The deputy director of the George Marshall European Center for Security
Studies, retired Maj-Gen Horst Schmalfeld, noted the necessity of a
clear separation of the functions of the Defence Ministry and the Chief
Staff of the Armed Forces. He noted the centre’s readiness to render
consultative assistance to Armenia in the implementation of reforms.
The Armenian Defence Ministry and the George Marshall European Center
for Security Studies organized the conference.