ARMENIA ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CSTO FORCE, PROMOTES TIES

Interfax
Sept 1 2009
Russia

The establishment of the Collective Operational Reaction Force (CORF)
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is crucial to
Armenia’s security, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said.

"We regard the creation [of the CORF] as an important component of
efforts aimed at enhancing Armenia’s security," Sargsyan said at an
annual meeting with Foreign Ministry officials and heads of Armenia’s
diplomatic missions abroad.

"Serious progress was made during Armenia’s chairmanship of the
CSTO. Key solutions intended to improve the organization’s efficiency
were formulated and adopted. I am primarily speaking about the
establishment of the CORF. Its first exercises will begin soon. To
be more precise, the first stage has already started," the Armenian
president said.

Yerevan has also been developing relations with NATO, Sargsyan said.

"The results of our Individual Partnership Action Plan are
satisfactory. We are also satisfied with the level and results of
Armenia’s involvement in international peacekeeping operations,"
he added.