Armenia’s relations with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)  were always build completely openly for our allied countries and partners, Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan told RIA Novosti news agency of Russia.

“We have never made a secret of this, and this cooperation could never and will never be directed against the interests of our strategic alliance with Russia,” Sargsyan added.

He recalled that NATO is engaged in several peacekeeping operations, and, in his words, the knowledge and experience gained from participating in such multinational peacekeeping operations is important and useful for Armenia, and considering the existing conflicts in Armenia’s region.

He stated that, first and foremost, the Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan is aimed at the development of the democratic system for the oversight of armed forces.

“We are implementing a number of projects that contribute to the strengthening of our armed forces,” noted the defense minister of Armenia. “And I’m convinced that this does not at all hurt the interests of our allies.”