Armenian and French defense ministers sign cooperation documents

YEREVAN, October 23. /ARKA/. The defense ministers of Armenia and France signed today in Paris a set of documents on bilateral cooperation, Armenian Defense Ministry reported.

It said during a working visit to France, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan visited the French Ministry of Armed Forces, where he had a meeting with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu.

A string of issues related to Armenian-French cooperation in the defense sphere, as well as regional security issues were discussed.

The sides outlined new opportunities for the development of cooperation, including acquisition of French-manufactured defense systems by Armenia, military education, training, exchange of experience, as well as other issues of mutual interest, the Armenian Defense Ministry said.

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan left Sunday for France at the invitation of his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu to formalize an agreement on the purchase of French air defense systems.

In a last week interview with French newspaper 'Parisien' Sebastien Lecornu said it was necessary to allow Armenia to protect its civilian population and secure its borders.

Earlier, on a visit to Armenia, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that France had agreed on future contracts with Armenia which will allow the delivery of military equipment to Armenia so that it can ensure its defense. -0-