NATO APPRECIATES ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN IRAQ AND KOSOVO

PanARMENIAN.Net - The terms of signing of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between Armenia and the NATO depends on the Armenian party, stated NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons. In his words, the NATO appreciates Armenia's desire to start implementation of the IPAP and is ready to promote the process of preparation of the document. At the same time Robert Simmons noted that the Armenian party determines the content and terms of signing the document. In his words, Liaison Officer Romualds Razuks will advise the Armenian interdepartmental group, working over the document. Besides, Robert Simmons reported that a group of NATO experts on defense planning will arrive in Armenia soon. They will meet with representatives of the Defense Ministry of Armenia. The Special Representative appreciated the peacekeeping activities of Armenian servicemen in Iraq and Kosovo. In his words, it evidences Armenia's frank desire to make its contribution to international security. Answering journalists' questions, Robert Simmons noted that Armenia's participation in the CSTO and close Armenian-Russian relations have no impact at Armenia-NATO relations. "We have good relations with Russia. Besides we have stated many times that the NATO does not build its relations with countries based on competition or taking into account participation of these countries in some organizations or alliances," R. Simmons stated.