ARMENIAN CAPITAL HOSTS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF NATO EXERCISE

Mediamax
Jan 29 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 29 January: The initial planning conference of the Cooperative
Longbow/Lancer 2008 exercise, which is to be held in fall of 2008
in Armenia within the framework of the NATO Partnership for Peace
programme, was launched in Yerevan today.

Mediamax reports that 110 specialists from 20 states are participating
in the work of the conference.

Speaking at the launch of the conference, the Chief of General Staff of
the Armenian Armed Forces, Colonel-General Seyran Ohanyan noted that
"the upcoming exercise in September is going to be the largest from
ones ever held by NATO in the South Caucasus". Seyran Ohanyan stated
that Armenia highly assesses the role of NATO as a cornerstone of
providing security in Europe, as well as the efforts of the Alliance
on securing stability in the region of the South Caucasus.

The Chief of Staff of the Land Forces of NATO Heidelberg United Forces,
Brigade General Claudio Vercellotti informed today that over 1,000
military men will participate in the exercise.

He noted that the September exercise in Armenia is one of the most
important NATO events in 2008.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress