Armenia is an active contributor to international security, President says

Serzh Sargsyan said this in New York addressing a speech at the UN Peacekeeping Summit on September 28.

“Despite the immense efforts directed by the international community toward prevention of conflicts and their peaceful resolution, peace and security remain fragile and vulnerable..
Currently, Armenia is already an active contributor to the international peace and security, and in the course of the preceding decade it accumulated considerable experience.

Since 2004 Armenian peacekeepers joined the operation in Kosovo, and later the same year – the one in Iraq. Since 2010 we have taken part in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Since 2015 we have partaken in the Resolute Support Mission in that very country, and, as we have declared on numerous other occasions, we will stand there with our international partners until that mission is accomplished.

Last year, we expanded our engagement with peacekeeping missions. Now we are also present in the UNIFIL mission that is stationed in Lebanon. Moreover, this July Armenia launched its participation in the MINUSMA peacekeeping mission in Mali. And, most recently, we have undertaken new commitments to develop appropriate skills to be provided in the course of our future participation in the UN peacekeeping operations such as a Role II medical hospital and training of associated personnel, as well as training of a company of EOD/C-IED (Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Counter-Improvised Explosive Device) soldiers.

The U.S., Greece, Germany, as well as NATO structures and other member States have played pivotal role in the establishment and development of the Armenian peacekeeping capabilities, and I extend our special gratitude to them upon it”, said the Armenian President.