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LEVON AYVAZYAN: PARTICIPATION IN THE MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN MAKES OUR COUNTRY ACTIVE ROLE MAKER IN ENSURING INTERNATIONAL SAFETY
ARMENPRESS
MAY 25, 2011
YEREVAN
May 29 is the International Day of Peacekeepers. The Armenian Armed
Forces are participating in the international peacekeeping activities
since 2004 enjoying the image of reliable partner. Armenpress news
agency spoke with the head of the defensive policy department of the
Defense Ministry Levon Ayvazyan about the process of formation of
the RA AF's peacekeeping brigade and its peculiarities.
- It was noted many times that Armenia has turned from just consumer
of security into the builder of international security. How is this
circumstance being assessed by Armenia's partners?
- The participation in the international peacekeeping missions,
of course, increases the international rating and authority of the
Armenian Armed Forces. The expansion of international peacekeeping
activity from year to year testifies that the Armenian Armed Forces are
not only reliable international partners but are fully practical for
participating in the international missions. We must also take into
consideration the circumstance that for instance in Afghanistan the
most contemporary strategies and methods are being used which means
that our peacekeepers are acquiring invaluable experience which in
future is being applied in the other divisions of the Armed Forces
of RA.
Besides, the participation in the mission in Afghanistan makes our
country though modest, a role maker in ensuring international safety.
Our partners highly assess this circumstance which is being expressed
by advisory, expertise, material and other assistance provided
to Armenia.
- From 2007 September 1 the RA AF peacekeeping battalion has been
reformed into peacekeeping brigade. How do the works on filling the
staff and weaponry going on? When will the process complete?
- The process goes on in accordance with the timeframe established
by the Minister of Defense. We are planning to completely finish them
by 2015.
The service in peacekeeping brigade gives the young people not only
stable job but allows to exercise, train, learn foreign languages and
use this in practice during the international missions as well as to
get use of social and medical privileges intended for servicemen and
their families.
I would also like to say that the process is being implemented on
contractual basis.
- Which is the main goal of increasing the number of Armenian
peacekeepers in Afghanistan? Have the issues put in front of them
changed or will they continue ensuring safety of the building of the
airport and the runaway located in 2 km-distance from Kunduz base?
- The 40-member troop of Armenian peacekeepers which is carrying out
its mission from 2010 will continue its mission in the Kunduz airport
and the additional peacekeeping forces (81 people) will be located in
headquarter of North region situated in the Mazar-i-Sharif town. The
troops will be responsible for the safety of the town's airport.
- How do the Greek Commandership in Kosovo and German Commandership
in Afghanistan assess the mission of the Armenian peacekeepers?
- I must say with delight that with the assessments of both Greek
and German Commanderships our peacekeepers have been noted only with
positive sides. By the way they highly assessed the level of their
preparedness, discipline. It may be testified by various awards the
Armenian peacekeepers get from the defense ministries of Germany and
Greece. We receive diplomas of gratitude by the highest military and
military-political leaderships of these countries.
ARMENPRESS
MAY 25, 2011
YEREVAN
May 29 is the International Day of Peacekeepers. The Armenian Armed
Forces are participating in the international peacekeeping activities
since 2004 enjoying the image of reliable partner. Armenpress news
agency spoke with the head of the defensive policy department of the
Defense Ministry Levon Ayvazyan about the process of formation of
the RA AF's peacekeeping brigade and its peculiarities.
- It was noted many times that Armenia has turned from just consumer
of security into the builder of international security. How is this
circumstance being assessed by Armenia's partners?
- The participation in the international peacekeeping missions,
of course, increases the international rating and authority of the
Armenian Armed Forces. The expansion of international peacekeeping
activity from year to year testifies that the Armenian Armed Forces are
not only reliable international partners but are fully practical for
participating in the international missions. We must also take into
consideration the circumstance that for instance in Afghanistan the
most contemporary strategies and methods are being used which means
that our peacekeepers are acquiring invaluable experience which in
future is being applied in the other divisions of the Armed Forces
of RA.
Besides, the participation in the mission in Afghanistan makes our
country though modest, a role maker in ensuring international safety.
Our partners highly assess this circumstance which is being expressed
by advisory, expertise, material and other assistance provided
to Armenia.
- From 2007 September 1 the RA AF peacekeeping battalion has been
reformed into peacekeeping brigade. How do the works on filling the
staff and weaponry going on? When will the process complete?
- The process goes on in accordance with the timeframe established
by the Minister of Defense. We are planning to completely finish them
by 2015.
The service in peacekeeping brigade gives the young people not only
stable job but allows to exercise, train, learn foreign languages and
use this in practice during the international missions as well as to
get use of social and medical privileges intended for servicemen and
their families.
I would also like to say that the process is being implemented on
contractual basis.
- Which is the main goal of increasing the number of Armenian
peacekeepers in Afghanistan? Have the issues put in front of them
changed or will they continue ensuring safety of the building of the
airport and the runaway located in 2 km-distance from Kunduz base?
- The 40-member troop of Armenian peacekeepers which is carrying out
its mission from 2010 will continue its mission in the Kunduz airport
and the additional peacekeeping forces (81 people) will be located in
headquarter of North region situated in the Mazar-i-Sharif town. The
troops will be responsible for the safety of the town's airport.
- How do the Greek Commandership in Kosovo and German Commandership
in Afghanistan assess the mission of the Armenian peacekeepers?
- I must say with delight that with the assessments of both Greek
and German Commanderships our peacekeepers have been noted only with
positive sides. By the way they highly assessed the level of their
preparedness, discipline. It may be testified by various awards the
Armenian peacekeepers get from the defense ministries of Germany and
Greece. We receive diplomas of gratitude by the highest military and
military-political leaderships of these countries.