Armenia attends ISAF Foreign Ministers’ meeting
armradio.am
05.12.2009 14:18
On 4 December, Foreign Ministers of ISAF troop contributing nations
met to discuss key priorities for Afghanistan, namely protecting
Afghan people, building Afghan security capacity, and facilitating
governance and development. They adopted a common declaration,
agreeing on the main principles guiding ISAF’s support of
reintegration and reconciliation processes.
The Armenian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Arman
Kirakosyan. This was the first such meeting attended by Armenia.
The meeting was chaired by Anders Fogh Rasmussen. It was attended by
US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, the Foreign Ministers of Great
Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Afghanistan and others.
Following this week’s announcement by President Barack Obama on the
sending of 30 000 additional US troops, ISAF Foreign Ministers
reiterated their collective objective to hand over lead security
responsibility to the Afghan forces, starting next year, when
conditions allow. To this end, nations pledged to invest more in
training, equipping and sustaining the Afghan National Security
Forces, through the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.
Allies and Partners adopted a declaration outlining a new approach for
Afghanistan in which the protection of the Afghan people is given a
particular focus. In support of this approach, at least 25 Allies and
Partners committed around 7 000 troops for 2010, with the possibility
of more contributions to come.
Touching upon the allied partnership between Armenia and NATO< the
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister specially emphasized the cooperation
in the field of peacekeeping. He noted that `with a clear intention of
contributing to international security and stability, Armenia has
decided to send a peacekeeping contingent to Afghanistan.’
The Armenian servicemen are expected to leave for Afghanistan in the
first months of 2010. In this regard Arman Kirakosyan expressed
gratitude to the German Government for comprehensive support.