July 31, 2002 - 22:30 AMT
ARMENIAN-CHINESE MILITARY COOPERATION HAS GREAT POTENTIAL, ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES JOINS STAFF HEAD THINKS
The Armenian-Chinese military cooperation has much potential and already today we can say that its perspectives are encouraging. Colonel-general Mikael Arutyunian, the head of the Joint Staff of the Armenian armed forces, has stated that today at the event in Yerevan dedicated to the 75 anniversary of the Chinese Army. According to him, the cooperation with the Chinese side has especially actively developed in the spheres of staff training. In particular, Armenian officers are trained at the military institutions of China. Arutyunian noted, at first sight, there are not many similarities between Armenia and China but the armed forces of the two states were established on the basis of the people's volunteer corps. Arutyunian expressed confidence that "Armenian ten-year experience might be also useful for China". It should be noted the visit of the RA AF Joint Staff head Mikael Arutyunian to China will take place until the year-end. Exact directions of the further military cooperation between the two states are planned to be discussed during the visit.