31.08.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. Armenia and Greece aren't yet considering the perspective of starting a multilateral military cooperation with Russia and Iran, stated today at the joint press conference in Yerevan the Chief of the Headquarters of the Armenian Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General Michael Harutiunian and his Greek counterpart, General Manusos Parayudakis, who completes his official visit to Armenia today.
Michael Harutiunian said that Greece is the second after Russia military partner of Armenia. At the same time, the Armenian General said that Armenia would like to develop military relations with other countries, including those entering NATO. As regards the perspectives of realizing a military cooperation with Iran, then the decision about that must take the politicians, thinks General Harutiunian. "If the highest political leadership of our countries will decide upon the expediency of starting such cooperation, we, as military, will solve the tasks put before us", he said.
Manusos Parayudakis noted that Greece, Armenia and Iran develop trilateral cooperation exclusively in the economic field. Answering the question about the possibility of stationing NATO military bases on the territories of Azerbaijan and Georgia, the Greek General said that such decisions are made by NATO's political leadership. "However, as far as I know, there is no such question in the agenda today", said Parayudakis. -0-