On May 24 RA NA Vice Speaker Tigran Torosyan received the delegation headed by Sergey Kirichenko, Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, Colonel-General. Mikayel Haroutyunyan, Chief of the Armenian Armed Forces General Staff, Alexander Bozhko, the Ukrainian Ambassador in Armenia and other official guests were also present at the meeting.

Greeting the guests, Tigran Torosyan highlighted the visit of the delegation headed by Sergey Kirichenko, Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff to Armenia from the view of both bilateral and regional relationships. It was noted that Ukraine and Armenia are bound not only by long-term friendship and Soviet past, but also by a lot of basic problems, which are solved today by two countries, particularly, execution of reforms and modern issues by Armed Forces. Of course, as it is accepted traditionally, armies should not be involved in the politics, though the cooperation between parliament and army is simply necessary. In spite of all views, differences of political forces, the Armenian Parliament also is united in issues of the country defence and security. Mr.Torosyan mentioned that Armenia and Ukraine have different views regarding some issues, but it is high time not to have the divergence in views - but the community in the basis of relationships. Particularly, Ukraine is planning to enter the NATO; Armenia has chosen another way of deepening the relations with NATO. Though that does not mean that we do not have cooperation opportunities in this direction.

Mr. Kirichenko, who is in Armenia for the first time, noted about some spheres of the armed forces cooperation of two countries: military, technical military, personnel training, joint military drills, peacekeeping missions. He highlighted parliaments’ assistance in the issue of country’s defensiveness and armed forces’ fighting ability.

During the meeting the enforcement of peace and the big role of national armies in that process was mutually highlighted, since the more efficient and stronger the army is, the more protected and stronger the peace is and the bigger is the guarantee of war and peoples’ tragedy prevention.

During the meeting both sides discussed issues of mutual interest.