NATO Week kicks off in Armenia
NATO Week has kicked off in Armenia today.
The launch of the series of NATO Week events has been announced at Information Center on NATO in Yerevan by Head of Arms Control and International Security Department of Armenian MFA, Ambassador Armen Yedigaryan, Head of Defense Policy Department of Armenian Ministry of Defense Levon Ayvazyan, German Ambassador to Armenia Matthias Kiesler and Head of NATO Liaison Office in Georgia Rosaria Puglisi.
Armen Yedigaryan and Levon Ayvazyan have noted that NATO remains an important partner for Armenia and cooperation with the alliance proceeds orderly and productively.
Ambassador Yedigaryan has revealed that Armenia and NATO are negotiating the drafting of the 6th phase of the Individual Partnership Plan (IPAP). Most likely, the plan will come into force in spring 2020. Until then the current version of IPAP is applied, Yedigaryan stressed.
German Ambassador to Armenia Matthias Kiesler attached importance to engaging general public in NATO Week events. According to him, it will make the information about Armenia-NATO cooperation accessible to people beyond the small group of experts.
“The Velvet Revolution that took place in Armenia last year was a powerful sign that people want to take the responsibility for what happens in their country,” said Head of NATO Liaison Office in Georgia Rosaria Puglisi. She has noted that after the revolution the alliance especially values cooperation with Armenia in building integrity, which concerns the fight against corruption in the army.
Armenia and NATO also attach importance to the civil oversight of the armed forces, which is the topic of the conference to be held at the Armenian National Assembly during NATO Week. Representatives of a number of NATO member states will share their countries’ experience in this field at the conference.
During the NATO Week, Armenia will welcome NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai and NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security Clare Hutchinson.
