Senior Course 117 continued their Regional Approach Field Study with a visit to Yerevan, Armenia, on Wednesday 1 December. The first lecture on “The Role of the Parliament in Defence & Security Issues of the Republic of Armenia” was given by Mr. Hrayr KARAPETYAN, the Chairmen of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence. (foto1) He provided an overview of the Committee’s tasks and achievements, and listed the main threats to Armenia: namely the unresolved conflict with Azerbaijan, the blockade imposed on Armenia by Türkiye, and the slow rate of progress of Armenia’s economic development. Following a lively Q & A Session, the course members enjoyed a most interesting visit to the modern hall of the Armenian Parliament and the Armenian Ministry of Defence (MOD) where they were welcomed by the First Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Davit TONOYAN, who reserved especially warm greetings for course members from Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
Mr TONOYAN then gave the floor to Mr. Arman KIRAKOSYAN, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, who discussed Armenia’s foreign policy priorities and provided a wide-ranging overview of relations with Armenia’s neighbours.
The next speaker was First Counsellor Ara MESROBYAN, the deputy Head of the Defence Policy Department of the MOD of the Republic of Armenia. He explained the roles and missions of Armenia’s armed forces, including those assigned to NATO-lead operations and exercises. Counsellor MESROBYAN also spoke about a number of primary geopolitical issues regarding defence planning. He emphasised the need for cooperation with NATO and Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries, as well as with the European Union (EU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
The final briefing on “Interagency coordination of European Integration & Euro-Atlantic Cooperation Activities in Armenia” was delivered by Mr. Ara NAZINYAN, the Chief Adviser to the Secretary of the National Security Council. Mr. Nazinyan began by providing a general overview of Armenia’s relations with the EU and then presented a plan for future cooperation aimed at strengthening Armenia’s democratic institutions and its system of governance, as well as lending support to socio-economic reform.
Each lecture was followed by a lively Q & A Session where many of the NDC course members demonstrated their genuine interest in the issues under discussion and asked many challenging questions about sensitive issues.
Senior Course 117 enjoyed the great privilege of an invitation to the official dinner hosted by the First Deputy Minister of Defence. Judging by the warm and friendly atmosphere, the evening will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most significant and enjoyable events of the entire Field Study.
The next stage of the Regional Approach Field Study will take the course to Ankara and Istanbul.
More about the Field Study:
NATO Defense College 