SERGE SARGSYAN: ARMENIA READY TO KEEP ON PARTICIPATING IN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.06.2007 14:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan met June 22
NATO Special Representative for the South Caucasus Robert Simmons. On
behalf of NATO Secretary General, Mr. Simmons congratulated Serge
Sargsyan on the appointment Prime Minister, the RA government’s press
office reports.

The parties stressed the significance of the Armenia-NATO Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), which covers various fields of
cooperation.

The RA PM said the departments included in the commission for IPAP
implementation are proceeding with the work. The government will
allot finances essential for the program implementation and focus on
its efficiency in accord with the schedule, Mr Sargsyan said.

The Prime Minister noted the importance of NATO’s assistance to reforms
targeted at efficiency of the RA armed forces and formation of the
defense system meeting modern military standards. For his part, Mr
Simmons expressed satisfaction with the adoption of the RA National
Security Strategy and mentioned elaboration of a military doctrine
as the next important move. NATO is ready to provide experts and
consultations, he said.

The RA National Security Strategy is a significant constituent of
the program of government’s activities for next 5 years, according
to Serge Sargsyan.

The interlocutors agreed that appointment of a new NATO liaison
officer will convey an impulse to the development of the Armenia-NATO
relations.

They also referred to the issue of formation of Crisis Administration
Center in Armenia. "Given Armenia’s experience in the issue, NATO
plans to hold a seminar in Yerevan with participation of all states
of the region and Central Asia," Mr Simmons said.

When touching upon Armenia’s participation in peacekeeping operations
the RA PM said our republic is ready to keep up the line. He also
requests his guest to comment on the developments in Kosovo process.