Military from Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia don't participate in NATO exercise in Armenia
The decision to hold Cooperative Longbow/Lancer - 2008 in the framework of Partnership for Peace program and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative was taken in October 2007.
"NATO exercises are held independently from the Collective Security Treaty Organization. This year we have already hosted Rubezh 2008 exercise, which was appreciated highly by the Organization's leadership. Military cooperation is meant to maintain peace. Held under UN mandate, the exercise will not tell on the situation in the region," RA General Staff Deputy Chief, Mayor General Arshaluys Paytyan told a news conference in Yerevan today.
As to participants in the maneuvers, he said, "Everybody knows why Georgian company did not arrive in Armenia. As for representatives from Turkey, Russia and Azerbaijan, these countries were sent an invitation and it's up to them to decide to accepted it or not."
"NATO exercises are held independently from the Collective Security Treaty Organization. This year we have already hosted Rubezh 2008 exercise, which was appreciated highly by the Organization's leadership. Military cooperation is meant to maintain peace. Held under UN mandate, the exercise will not tell on the situation in the region," RA General Staff Deputy Chief, Mayor General Arshaluys Paytyan told a news conference in Yerevan today.
As to participants in the maneuvers, he said, "Everybody knows why Georgian company did not arrive in Armenia. As for representatives from Turkey, Russia and Azerbaijan, these countries were sent an invitation and it's up to them to decide to accepted it or not."
