Serge Sargsyan: Armenia ready to keep on participating in peacekeeping missions

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan met June 22 NATO Special Representative for the South Caucasus Robert Simmons. On behalf of NATO Secretary General, Mr. Simmons congratulated Serge Sargsyan on the appointment Prime Minister, the RA government's press office reports.



The parties stressed the significance of the Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), which covers various fields of cooperation. The RA PM said the departments included in the commission for IPAP implementation are proceeding with the work. The government will allot finances essential for the program implementation and focus on its efficiency in accord with the schedule, Mr Sargsyan said.



The Prime Minister noted the importance of NATO's assistance to reforms targeted at efficiency of the RA armed forces and formation of the defense system meeting modern military standards. For his part, Mr Simmons expressed satisfaction with the adoption of the RA National Security Strategy and mentioned elaboration of a military doctrine as the next important move. NATO is ready to provide experts and consultations, he said.



The RA National Security Strategy is a significant constituent of the program of government's activities for next 5 years, according to Serge Sargsyan.



The interlocutors agreed that appointment of a new NATO liaison officer will convey an impulse to the development of the Armenia-NATO relations.



They also referred to the issue of formation of Crisis Administration Center in Armenia. "Given Armenia's experience in the issue, NATO plans to hold a seminar in Yerevan with participation of all states of the region and Central Asia," Mr Simmons said.



When touching upon Armenia's participation in peacekeeping operations the RA PM said our republic is ready to keep up the line. He also requests his guest to comment on the developments in Kosovo process.