NOTHING CHANGED IN ARMENIA-NATO RELATIONS – YEREVAN

Interfax
Aug 28 2008
Russia

Nothing has changed in Armenia-NATO relations, and Armenian
peacekeepers are still part of the NATO forces in Iraq and Kosovo, the
Armenian Defense Minister’s press secretary Col. Seyran Shahsuvarian
told Interfax.

"Nothing has changed in our relations. Armenia is preparing for NATO
exercises," he said.

The exercises will take place on September 29 – October 21, 2008,
within the framework of NATO’s Partnership for Peace program. They
will involve about 1,100 servicemen from 21 states. Seven countries
will represent NATO, while the rest will be members of the Partnership
for Peace program.

Armenia increased the number of its peacekeepers in Kosovo to 70 this
year. It also has 46 peacekeepers – doctors, drivers and sappers –
in Iraq.

Simultaneously, Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) together with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.