April 27, 2007 - 17:40 AMT
Joint Tendency 2007 exercise kicks off in Yerevan
Joint Tendency 2007 exercise of the U.S. European Command started in Yerevan April 27. During the opening ceremony RA Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan noted the maneuvers are held simultaneously in Armenia and Germany. "130 representatives from Armenia, U.S., France, Georgia, Croatia and Russia are taking part in the exercise. The Ukrainian unit could not arrive due complex domestic situation," he said.

He also noted that since 2002 Armenia has taken part in Partnership for Peace NATO program and maneuvers of the U.S. European Command. "It's gratifying that the exercises held in our republic have become a good tradition. There is an agreement to conduct Joint Bow 2008 in Armenia. "All conferences and working meetings proceeded in constructive and business atmosphere," Mikael Harutyunyan said.

He also thanked the U.S. European Command for assistance in organization of the current exercise.