YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. A senior Armenian lawmaker representing the ruling Civil Contract party on Thursday reacted to Russia’s concerns regarding Armenia’s planned joint military exercise with the United States, describing the move as Armenia’s sovereign right.

Armenia will host the Eagle Partner 2023 joint Armenian-U.S. military exercise from September 11-20, the Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday.

"In the framework of preparation for participation in international peacekeeping missions the Armenia-U.S. joint exercise "EAGLE PARTNER 2023" will be held from 11 to 20 September in Armenia, particularly in "Zar" Training Center of the Peacekeeping Brigade and the N Training Center of the Ministry of Defense,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The exercise involves stabilization tasks between conflicting parties during peacekeeping missions.

“This is Armenia’s sovereign right,” MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations Sargis Khandanyan told reporters. “I understand that various parties can have concerns and complaints, but this is Armenia’s sovereign right. And you know that these exercises that are to take place next week are aimed at improving Armenian-American partnership in peacekeeping mission. This is a result of the deepening Armenian-American relations,” Khandanyan said.

He said that Armenia doesn’t anyhow lose its sovereignty with its membership to the CSTO.