YEREVAN. – The Armenian peacekeepers in Afghanistan are not taking part in military actions, and their sole task is to maintain security, Deputy Defense Minister Ara Nazaryan stated Monday, during special session of the National Assembly (NA).  

He informed that the Armenian peacekeepers are stationed in Mazar-e-Sharif and Kunduz Provinces. 

To note, upon the president’s proposal, the NA is currently discussing the matter of extending, until December 31, 2014, the Armenian peacekeepers’ presence in Afghanistan. 

Nazaryan also informed that the Armenian peacekeepers are in Afghanistan since 2009 and their number has reached 126, as compared with 40 in 2009.

The Government of Germany funds the services—except for the salaries—of the Armenian peacekeepers in Afghanistan, the Armenian detachment is a part of the German troops, and it is under the German command.

The Armenian officers that serve as peacekeepers in Afghanistan receive a monthly salary of AMD 640,000 (approx. $1,578).