At its Oct. 22 sitting, the Board of the RA Ministry of Defense chaired by Minister Seyran Ohanyan, discussed reforms of the Armenian defense system, present problems and ways of resolving them.

The press service of the RA defense office informed NEWS.am that Minister Ohanyan pointed out that the aim of defense reforms is forming a modern defense system based on the fundamental democratic principles of civil control, defense planning and management, which would meet modern military requirements. The Minister also emphasized the consolidation of the strategic containment system to continue the Armenian armed forces’ peace enforcement policy.

Minister Ohanyan also pointed out the necessity of improving mechanisms of informing the public of the defense policy.

RA First Deputy Minister of Defense David Tonoyan made a keynote address at the Board’s sitting. He presented the results of the present stage of defense reforms and further steps. The speaker underlined the need for reforms in the military education system to ensure long-term development of the Armenian armed forces.

Chief of the Military Planning Department, Joint Staff, RA Armed Forces, Colonel G. Tavaratsyan spoke of the reforms in the armed force structures, problems of developing the potential for rapid reaction.

Summing up the Board sitting, Minister Ohanyan made a generally positive appraisal of the of the previous stage of defense reforms and issued relevant instructions to the command staff of the RA Ministry of Defense and Joint Staff, to lay emphasis on personnel policy and planning, as well as on program and budget systems.