YEREVAN. – The Armenian parliament has considered amendments to international agreement on deployment of the Armenian peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan within NATO mission.

The document envisages prolongation of deployment of the Armenian peacekeeping mission and increase in number of troops.

Speaking in parliament Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan said the government offers to prolong presence of the Armenian peacekeepers till December 31, 2012 and increase the number of troops from 40 to 45. The Armenian troops will continue serving under German command. The Minister stressed that training of the Armenian peacekeepers got appraisal of the German side.

Seyran Ohanyan also said that Georgia has sent 924 soldiers to Afghanistan, while Azerbaijan – 94. In the future the number of Armenian troops will be increased to 130, whereas it will reach up to 260 during combat duty.

Despite the deadline for withdrawal of peacekeepers from Afghanistan is 2014, Ohanyan expressed doubt that peacekeepers will completely leave the country by the mentioned date.

“I think that peacekeepers will stay in strategically important regions after 2014,” he added.