Russia will participate in "Cooperative Best Effort - 2003" military maneuvers, to be held within the framework of NATO "Partnership for Peace Program" in Armenia next June. As stated by chief of foreign relations department of the Armenian defense ministry Mikayel Melkonian, the Russian party's resolution is in many respects conditioned by the fact that the exercises are being held in the territory of Armenia. At the same time he reminded that Russia had not participated in similar exercises held in Georgia this year.