Robert Simmons: NATO Ready To Support Armenia To Reform Armed Forces

ROBERT SIMMONS: NATO READY TO SUPPORT ARMENIA TO REFORM ARMED FORCES

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 22 2007

YEREVAN, June 22. /ARKA/. NATO is ready to keep supporting Armenia to
reform its Armed Forces. The RA Government’s press service reported
that NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the South
Caucasus Robert Simmons said this during his meeting with Armenia’s
Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan.

Sargsyan attached great importance to NATO support in increasing
military efficiency of Armenia’s Armed Forces and creating defense
system that corresponds to modern military requirements.

In this connection Simmons pointed out Armenia’s progressive steps
to reforming its Armed Forces and said that the Alliance is ready to
keep supporting the reforms.

He expressed satisfaction in connection with adopting national
strategy of Armenia’s defense and as a successive step he pointed
out the elaboration of a military doctrine for which NATO is ready
to provide experts and consultations.

Sargsyan said that the RA Government’s activity program also pays
great attention to the national strategy of Armenia’s defense. In
particular, the program is elaborated on the basis of this strategy.

During the meeting it was pointed out that the appointment of a new
officer for cooperation with NATO will become an extra stimulus and
link for developing cooperation between Armenia and NATO.