October 29, 2005 - 16:47 AMT
Armenian MOD Head Held Several Meetings in US
October 28, within the framework of the visit to the US, Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia, Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan laid a wreath to Unknown Soldier Grave in Arlington Cemetery, reported the Press Service of the Armenian MFA. The same day he met with Chairman of the US Senate Standing Commission for External Relations, Senator Richard Lugar. S. Sargsyan thanked the US Congress for assistance to Armenia. The parties discussed prospects of further development of bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest. Expressing content over the prospects of the US-Armenia military cooperation, Richard Lugar thanked Armenia for participation in the anti-terror coalition.

The Armenian MOD Head also met with Nicolas Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Department of State. The parties discussed US-Armenian political and military cooperation. Special attention was paid to regional security problems and the Karabakh settlement. The parties underscored the importance of peace settlement of the conflict within the OSCE MG. Agreements between the Defense Ministries of Armenia and the US on programs of expansion of cooperation will considerably promote reform of the Armed forces of Armenia, the Armenian Minister underscored. During his meetings in Pentagon, Congress and State Department Armenian Ambassador to the US Tatul Margaryan was present. THe same day S. Sargsyan gave an interview to Janes, which covers military and political issues. He answered questions on reform of the Armed Forces of Armenia, military policy of Armenia and national security issues. In the course of the visit the Armenian Defense Minsiter had a number of meetings with leaders of Armenian organizations and Armenian community representatives.