Armenian, British Defence Ministries sign cooperation memo

Mediamax news agency
24 Sep 04

YEREVAN

The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom and the Ministry of
Defence of the Republic of Armenia have agreed a memorandum of
understanding in defence contacts and cooperation.

Armenian Minister of Defence Serzh Sarkisyan and British ambassador to
Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt signed the memorandum at a brief ceremony
at the Armenian Ministry of Defence in Yerevan today.

The aim of the memorandum is to further strengthen good relations
between the two ministries and to serve as a basis for increased
cooperation between them in the field of defence.

Over the last year the United Kingdom has sponsored a variety of
training courses outside Armenia for 16 members of the Armenian Armed
Forces, including the first Armenian cadet ever to attend the Royal
Military Academy, Sandhurst.

The British Ministry of Defence also funds English language training
within the framework of the Peacekeeping English Programme run by the
British Council Armenia at the Armenian Ministry of Defence.

The memorandum of understanding notes that stable and democratic
sovereign states contribute to confidence, stability and security in
Europe as a whole. It will put the existing cooperation programme on a
formal footing, and enable Britain and Armenia to develop further
contacts in areas such as defence management in democratic societies,
language training, peace support in humanitarian operations and arms
control.