Armenia not going to withdraw peacekeepers from IraqDecember 24, 2007 - 18:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Despite Poland's decision, Armenia will hardly withdraw peacekeepers from Iraq, said Artur Aghabekian, chairman of the parliamentary committee on defense, national security and internal affairs. "Armenia fulfills peacekeeping mission in the framework of the Armenian-American cooperation and it has nothing to do with the Armenian-Polish military technical cooperation. Aghabekian reminded that Armenia has prolonged presence of its peacekeeping contingent in Iraq but can reconsider its decision any time. "Withdrawal of Polish troops now or in a year is not a problem," he said. "I do not think the multinational division will break up after Poland secedes." December 18, the Polish government decreed to withdraw troops from Iraq in 2008. December 4, the Armenian National Assembly decided to prolong the terms of the Memorandum on command and regulations of multinational division within coalition forces in Iraq. Armenian peacekeepers have been serving in Iraq since January 25, 2004. Presently, the sixth shift, consisting of 2 staff officers, 3 medical officers, 10 field engineers and 31 drivers, is in Iraq. Top stories President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |