Armenian defense minister Serge Sargsian commissioned the armed forces general staff to develop the plan of bilateral military cooperation with the United States. Deputy defense minister, armed forces general staff head colonel general Mikayel Harutyunian stated it in the course of the conversation with the «Arminfo» correspondent. He noted that deepening direct military cooperation with USA would by no means tell on the strategic cooperation with Russia. Let us remind that the United States will give Armenia $4.3 million as military financing this year. «Cooperative Best Effort 2003» military exercises under the aegis of NATO will be held in the Republic in 2003.