Armenia’s Defense Minister Downplays Azerbaijan’s Plans To Nearly Double Its Military Spending
09.11.2010,
20:16
Armenia’s defense minister Seyran Ohanian downplayed Azerbaijan’s plans to nearly double its military spending next year to $3.1 billion.
YEREVAN, November 9, /ARKA/. Armenia’s defense minister Seyran Ohanian downplayed Azerbaijan’s plans to nearly double its military spending next year to $3.1 billion, saying in a televised interview with Armenian Public TV that Armenian armed forces have high combat readiness and are capable of neutralizing Azerbaijan’s military potential.
‘Azerbaijan is wrong to believe that by only increasing military spending and purchasing arms it can increases its armed forces’ military capabilities,’ the minister said, adding that there are many ways to respond to Azerbaijan’s mounting military budget – from symmetrical to asymmetrical.
“The combat-readiness of our armed forces, the pace of military reforms, the moral and psychological atmosphere and our responsible approaches towards fulfillment of international missions are all evidence that we exceed the enemy,’ he said.
Seyran Ohanian also underscored the significance of Armenia’s political and military alliance with Russia from security perspective, which he said places Armenia’s security to a higher level.
“In the first place we are boosting our cooperation with members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and CIS to set up unified defense systems, to exchange information and to jointly resolve security problems,’ the Armenian defense minister said.
He said Armenia is cooperating also with NATO through its Partnership for Peace Program and Individual Partnership Acton Plan (IPAP). He said Armenian peacekeeping troops are involved in international missions. The country has also grounds to expand military cooperation with the United States. In humanitarian sphere Armenia cooperates with EU, OSCE, UN, ICRC.
‘This multilateral cooperation allows us to exchange experience, use international cooperation and expertise to carry on with our military reforms and upgrade our armed forces,’ he said. –0--
‘Azerbaijan is wrong to believe that by only increasing military spending and purchasing arms it can increases its armed forces’ military capabilities,’ the minister said, adding that there are many ways to respond to Azerbaijan’s mounting military budget – from symmetrical to asymmetrical.
“The combat-readiness of our armed forces, the pace of military reforms, the moral and psychological atmosphere and our responsible approaches towards fulfillment of international missions are all evidence that we exceed the enemy,’ he said.
Seyran Ohanian also underscored the significance of Armenia’s political and military alliance with Russia from security perspective, which he said places Armenia’s security to a higher level.
“In the first place we are boosting our cooperation with members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and CIS to set up unified defense systems, to exchange information and to jointly resolve security problems,’ the Armenian defense minister said.
He said Armenia is cooperating also with NATO through its Partnership for Peace Program and Individual Partnership Acton Plan (IPAP). He said Armenian peacekeeping troops are involved in international missions. The country has also grounds to expand military cooperation with the United States. In humanitarian sphere Armenia cooperates with EU, OSCE, UN, ICRC.
‘This multilateral cooperation allows us to exchange experience, use international cooperation and expertise to carry on with our military reforms and upgrade our armed forces,’ he said. –0--
