Robert Simmons, NATO's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, has arrived in Armenia within the framework of the Armenia-2010 exercises. The official is to hold meetings with Armenian leaders.

The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) will conduct the consequence management field exercise “Armenia 2010” from 11 to 17 September 2010 in the city of Arzni, in the Kotayk region next to Yerevan in Armenia.

Teams from 15 Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) nations are planned to take part in the exercise and 11 additional countries are scheduled to participate by sending staff officers.

All together, more than 600 individuals belonging to civilian and military teams from NATO and partner countries with capabilities to deal with different aspects of emergencies will take part in the event. Some 40 observers are also expected. “Armenia 2010” will allow NATO and partner countries to practice disaster response mechanisms and capabilities and to enhance co-operation in emergency situations.

The scenario for the exercise will be a severe earthquake in the vicinity of Yerevan, resulting in high numbers of victims and widespread damage to critical infrastructure, including chemical spills and a radiological incident.

Through this exercise, NATO and partner nations will practice the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) procedures and capabilities, in order to improve nations’ ability to respond to a disaster. The exercise will also contribute to strengthen the stricken nation’s capability to effectively coordinate consequence management operations.