Interfax, Russia
Dec 3 2009

YEREVAN KEEN TO DEEPEN RELATIONS WITH WASHINGTON – PRESIDENT …

Armenia highly appreciates the U.S. efforts aimed at resolving
regional problems, Armenian President Serzh Sargsian
said."U.S.-Armenian relations are traditionally warm and friendly, and
we are keen to further deepen them," Sargsian said at a meeting with
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander in
Yerevan on Thursday.

"Armenia highly appreciates the assistance the U.S. government has
provided to Armenia since the day we gained our independence. We also
very highly appreciative of U.S. efforts aimed at establishing
stability and peace in our region, as well as resolving regional
problems," Sargsian was quoted as saying by his press office for
Interfax.

Wallander said for her part, that during her visit to Armenia she
would like to better understand the country’s defense priorities. The
U.S. highly appreciates Armenia’s participation in various
peacekeeping missions, Wallander said, adding that she had visited the
Armenian Armed Force’s peacekeeping brigade earlier that day.

"The Armenian president emphasized the importance of Armenian
servicemen’s participation in international peacekeeping missions and
also said that Armenia can and must make its contribution to
international security," the presidential press office said.

Armenian servicemen will be sent to Afghanistan in February 2010,
commander of the Armenian AF peacekeeping brigade Artur Simonian said
earlier on Thursday.