YEREVAN. – A delegation led by Armenia’s Minister of Defense, Seyran Ohanyan, paid a working visit to Afghanistan—from November 25 to Wednesday—, where Armenian peacekeepers likewise are engaged in the ongoing peacekeeping mission.
Before heading to Afghanistan via the United Arab Emirates (UAE), however, the delegation met with representatives from the UAE’s Armenian community on November 25. The minister highly appreciated the role played by the Armenian diaspora communities and responded to the questions posed by the community representatives, MOD press service informs.
On Monday, Armenia’s Defense Minister met in Kabul with the commanders of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. ISAF Deputy Commander, UK Armed Forces Lieutenant General Nick Carter gave a high assessment to Armenia’s contribution to the activities toward establishing security and stability in Afghanistan.
On the same day, Seyran Ohanyan was received by Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, the Afghan Defense Minister. Mohammadi extended his thanks to Armenia’s military and political leadership and its peacekeepers for their involvement in the international efforts to establish stability in Afghanistan. In his turn, Ohanyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to the aforesaid involvement.
On Tuesday, the delegation led by Armenia’s Defense Minister headed to Mazar-e-Sharif and Kunduz Provinces, to meet with the Armenian peacekeepers that are serving there and the commanders of the local coalition forces.
In Mazar-e-Sharif city, Ohanyan met with the Commander of ISAF Regional Command – North, German Armed Forces Major General Erich Pfeffer. The German general expressed his appreciation for the services of the Armenian peacekeepers.
Next, the delegation led by Ohanyan visited Camp Mike Spann, an ISAF military base nearby Mazar-e-Sharif, where sixty Armenian peacekeepers are stationed. The local commanders assessed the contribution of the Armeian troops as crucial.
The delegation’s next stop was the military base in Kunduz city, where sixty-one Armenian peacekeepers protect the nearby airport. Also, five Armenian instructor officers, who provide consulting services to Afghan military units, are stationed here, too. The German commanders of the military base commended the Armenian peacekeepers. In his turn, Seyran Ohanyan underscored the Armenian peacekeepers’ pivotal role in Armenia’s proper involvement in international peacekeeping efforts.
The delegation led by Armenia’s Minister of Defense, Seyran Ohanyan, returned to Armenian capital city Yerevan on Thursday.
