Mikael Harutyunyan: Armenia ready to develop cooperation with NATO

PanARMENIAN.Net - February 7, Armenian Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan met with NATO delegation led by Jaroslaw Skonieczka, NATO's Director for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Partnership, and Frank Boland, Director of Force Planning. The delegation is in Armenia to assess the IPAP implementation, RA Defense Minister's Spokesman, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net



Welcoming the guests, Minister Harutyunyan noted that the regular visits of NATO officials to South Caucasus prove the Alliance's interest in the region.



"NATO plays a significant role in ensuring international security and stability. This fact is proved by presence of peacekeeping missions in Kosovo an Afghanistan. Cooperation with the Alliance is a priority for Armenia," he said.



"The IPAP initial 2-year stage is completed. The outcomes will be discussed at 26+1 NATO session in April. Strategic reconsideration of the security system will start this year," he added.



The Minister assured that Armenia intends to develop cooperation with NATO and voiced hope that during the coming years this cooperation will expand and cover new fields.



The officials also exchanged views on regional security and marked out plans of future activities.