PEACE AND STABILITY ARE IMPORTANT VALUES FOR ARMENIA, RA DEFENCE MINISTER SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Se p 29, 2008
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The format and the wide geography
of the present participants of the Cooperative Longbow/Cooperative
Lancer exercises held in Yerevan are evidence of the significance
and contemporaneity of the exercises. RA Defence Minister Seyran
Ohanian said this on September 29, at the solemn opening ceremony
of the exercises. "In this relation, I could only express my regret
that our neighboring countries, participants of EAPC, due to different
reasons do not participate. Unfortunately, once again it demonstrates
to us that the security situation in the South Caucasus is fragile,"
he said. S. Ohanian assured that peace and stability are important
values for Armenia, and the Armenian side views these exercises as
an important confidence building measure in the region.
According to the Minister, Armenia hosts any international exercise
such as within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization, Partnership for Peace or the U.S. European Command with
great willingness.
According to him, the exercises pursue a single goal, to raise
interoperability capabilities in the peacekeeping sphere, to improve
their realization mechanisms, to gain experience and train units,
which are engaged in exercises. "This goal is reiterated by the
Republic of Armenia, as a full member of international community,
through readiness to fulfil its commitments in ensuring international
security," S. Ohanian said.