NATO will continue the support to Armenia

ArmRadio.am
21.05.2007 13:48

Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General for the South
Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons stated in an exclusive
interview to Mediamax that `with a newly elected Parliament we also
need to focus on improving the capabilities of the legislature to
exercise strong and effective oversight of the defense and security
sectors.’

Robert Simmons noted that `the Individual Partnership Action Plan
(IPAP) is a comprehensive programme that covers many areas, with a
strong focus on the defense and security sectors.’

`We are now at a stage where the next steps will need to be taken
towards a Strategic Defense Review, including the formulation of a
Military Doctrine. Defense Planning and Budgeting are key issues, as
is the introduction of more civilians into the Ministry of
Defense. And, of course, the further improvement of interoperability
to increase the opportunities for Armenian forces to make
contributions to NATO-led peace support operations is a key
priority. We also need to continue to improve the way in which various
government agencies work together, in particular in such areas as
crisis management and the fight against terrorism,’ the Special
Representative of the NATO Secretary General stated.

`With a newly elected Parliament we also need to focus on improving
the capabilities of the legislature to exercise strong and effective
oversight of the defense and security sectors. In short, there is
still much on our plate and defense reform, democratic institution
building and strengthening of the rule of law need to continue. We
will continue our support to Armenia on these and many other issues,
as set out in the IPAP,’ Robert Simmons noted.