Sargsyan Proposes Extending Armenian Peacekeeping Mission in Iraq for Another Year

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's participation in peacekeeping mission in Iraq promotes enhancement of international authority of the Republic and its Armed Forces, Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan stated at the Parliament Tuesday, when proposing to extend the term of the peacekeeping mission of the Armenian contingent in Iraq for another year. The Defense Minister remarked that since 2000 Armenia participates in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, then in Iraq. Armenia cannot stay aside of international integration processes in defense that continue today, the Armenian Defense Minister said. Sargsyan added that active participation of the Armenian contingent in the peacekeeping mission in Iraq provides additional levers for protecting national interests in relations with international organizations.



Sargsyan reminded that along with Armenia the other two South Caucasus republics also take part in the peacekeeping mission. Azerbaijan is represented by 151 servicemen, while Georgia has 864 servicemen in Iraq. At that in the words of the Armenian Defense Minister, as different from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia directly participate in armed operations in Iraq. "In this respect Armenia remaining neutral may have a negative impact on some directions of military cooperation with some countries," Sargsyan remarked, reports Novosti-Armenia.



The third shift of Armenian peacekeepers, being in Iraq, involves three staff officers, two medical officers, 10 sappers and a transport platoon (31 drivers).