Levon Ayvazyan: Participation in the mission in Afghanistan makes our country active role maker in ensuring international safety
4 minute read
YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS:
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.