The necessary contract and legal base for developing cooperation between Armenia and Belarus, including that in the military sphere, has been formed. Belarusian defense minister Leonid Maltsev, who had arrived in Yerevan on a two-day official visit, stated it today. In his words, the main purpose of his visit to Yerevan is practical realization of the opportunities for cooperation. The minister expressed hope for many questions to be considered from the practical angle and make the cooperation more effective within the framework of the formed working group. The Belarusian defense minister will meet with the Armenian leadership. A program on cooperation in 2003 is also expected to be signed by the defense departments of Belarus and Armenia.