Armenia to further participate in NATO’s Afghanistan peace mission

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia will continue its international commitment within the NATO’s Resolute Support Mission throughout 2016, the Foreign Minister said at the Mission’s ministerial meeting Tuesday, December 1.

According to Edward Nalbandian, the continued international support for Afghanistan’s stability is important for many, and first of all for its own people.

“We believe it also serves as a pivotal test for the international community to adequately face challenges and find solutions for situations of global significance. Therefore, realization of our mission will send a strong worldwide signal about the determination and ability to remain true to commitments and address even the most daunting tasks,” Nalbandian said.

It is with this understanding, he said, that more than a decade ago Armenia joined the peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, later in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Mali. According to the Minister, the United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations has recently stated that “Armenia’s support is important not only for its contribution but also for the Armenian history and the challenges it has endured.”

“Even the current tension on our borders hasn’t diminished our resolve to contribute to establishing peace in the world. Therefore, we are ready to cooperate with future mission Enduring Partnership when it takes over from the Resolute Support Mission. We will also further encourage internal inclusive peace process in Afghanistan, promotion of good-neighborly relations, as well as regional cooperation,” Minister Nalbandian concluded.