YEREVAN.- Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan will discuss prospects of cooperation in defense sphere this week in the United States, the Voice of America reported.
The visit will start from Kansas where Armenian peacekeepers and rescuers have been trained during the past 15 years.
According to Military Commander of the Kansas National Guard, Lee E. Tafanelli, the cooperation with the Armenian Armed Forces is a source of pride: "It is a great feeling when we help the Armenian military to retrain and then see how Armenians apply this knowledge in Kosovo or in Afghanistan to ensure peace and security."
Commander of the Kansas Army National Guard Brigadier General Anthony Mohatt noted that Armenian peacekeepers, rescuers and doctors are trained by NATO standards so that they can carry out peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the alliance. "The application of NATO standards is a crucial condition for Armenian soldiers to participate in peacekeeping missions around the world. However, it also contributes to raising the Armenian army's combat readiness. "
The cooperation with Kansas is not unilateral. The National Guard also has a lot to learn from the Armenian side, especially in the area of emergency response, Commander of the Kansas Air National Guard Brigadier General David Weishaar noted. "Armenian citizens have an experience of responding to disasters and we do not have, and we also learn from the Armenian side."
Another promising sector of Armenian-American cooperation may become sale of American weapon to Armenia, the issue raised by the U.S. President’s advisor on national security affairs John Bolton during his visit to Armenia.
In the sidelines of the visit, Tonoyan will also meet with the representatives of the Armenian community and speak about Armenia’s defense strategy and regional security.
