SEYRAN OHANIAN: ARMENIA HIGHLY EVALUATES NATO’S ROLE IN ENSURING REGIONAL SECURITY

Noyan Tapan
Jan 31, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s active participation in
exercises held jointly with NATO grows year by year. Seyran Ohanian,
the Head of the RA Armed Forces’ General Headquarters, said in his
January 29 interview to journalists. In his words, Armenia highly
evaluates NATO’s role in the issue of providing security in Europe,
as well as in the South Caucasus.

He reminded the journalists that the Combined Effort exercise was
held in 2003, a rescue exercise was held in 2006, Combined Endeavour
exercise in 2007 in Armenia. "The planning of the Combined Bow and
Combined Lance-Bearer 2008 exercise is being held today. It will be the
biggest of the exercises held in the South Caucasus," S. Ohanian said.

In his words, the exercises to be held will contribute to deepening
of Armenia’s cooperation with NATO. S. Ohanian said that among other
countries, representatives of Turkey and United Arab Emirates also take
part in the planning conference of the exercises. As for Azerbaijan,
the latter does not take part in the conference though it has received
an invitation from the Armenian side.