Armenia, NATO hail valuable cooperation, pledge more

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Ambassadors of 28 NATO member-states, NATO high-level officials and military chiefs participated Wednesday, March 9 in the session of the North Atlantic Council in 28+1 format at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Addressing the session, chaired by Sotltenberg, Minister Nalbandian dwelled upon Armenia-NATO cooperation, the country’s foreign policy priorities as well as latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process.

Also in focus were the fight against terrorism, Armenia’s participation in peacekeeping operations, implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, the Syrian crisis and Armenia’s stance on pressing issues on international agenda.

Reflecting on Armenia-NATO relations, Nalbandian hailed the effective partnership established in the framework of Individual Partnership Action Plan. The Armenian foreign policy chief stressed that Armenia-NATO IPAP for 2014-2016 (4th in a row) is effectively implemented, with the process of drafting the IPAP for 2017-2018 set to start soon.

Also, Nalbandian unveiled the results of the referendum on constitutional amendments and the reform process in Armenia.

The Defense Minister, in turn, briefed the dignitaries on the process of reforms in the defense system, expansion of capabilities in the field of military education, highlighting the importance of Armenia-NATO partnership in this context.

In their speeches, the Secretary General and representatives of about a dozen member states praised valuable cooperation between Armenia and the Alliance.

Speakers commended the results of implementation of Individual Partnership Action Plan, the process of reforms in Armenia, Armenia’s participation in the peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Lebanon.

Afterwards, Ministers Nalbandian and Ohanyan answered a number of questions concerning Armenia’s foreign policy, regional developments, Armenia and the international community’s efforts towards peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as reforms in the defense and security sectors of Armenia.

Prior to the session, the Armenian officials met Stoltenberg to discuss Armenia-NATO cooperation in the framework of various program, also exchanged thoughts on regional issues.