Armenian defense minister Serge Sargsian considers that the task of forming a peacekeeping battalion for the republic is still a matter of the future." In his words, at present Armenia has 2 platoons, one of which by the approval of the parliament of the republic will be sent for peacekeeping operations to Kosovo as part of a Greek contingent. A corresponding agreement with general staff of the national defense of Greece is already signed. As of Iraq, Serge Sargsian continued, Armenia has got the opportunity to send a platoon of medical officers and a platoon of sappers from the center for mine clearing. The minister especially emphasized that the activities of the physicians will first of all lie in assisting peaceful population. At present the republic authorities hold negotiations with the US and states neighboring Iraq "to guard the Armenian military from any difficulties."