Armies Can Be Democratic In Countries In "No War, No Peace" Situatio

ARMIES CAN BE DEMOCRATIC IN COUNTRIES IN “NO WAR, NO PEACE” SITUATION: ARMENIAN DM

16:35, 16 Oct 2014

Lusine Vasilyan
Public Radio of Armenia

The Armenian Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the OSCE Yerevan
Office has organized a two-day workshop on the politico-military
aspects of security. The workshop focuses on the transparency and
accountability of the armed forces, prevention of corruption risks.

The event has brought together representatives of different
international bodies – NATO, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights, Geneva Center for Democratic Control of Armed Forces.

The main document on the agenda is NATO’s Building Integrity (BI)
Programme, which Armenia joined in 2013. It provides practical tools
to help participating countries strengthen integrity, transparency
and accountability and reduce the risk of corruption in the defense
and security sectors.

Speaking at the workshop, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohnayan
said Armenia’s joining the Programme and its effective cooperation
with the OSCE in the field break the stereotype that the army of a
country in “no war, no peace situation” cannot be democratic.

“I assert with confidence that we are breaking that stereotype. We
consider that the army can be transparent and democratic even in a
‘half-war’ situation,” Minister Ohanyan said.

The BI Programme is tailored to meet national needs and requirements.

It is demand-driven and participation is on a voluntary basis. It is
open to all NATO Allies and partners.

From: Baghdasarian

http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/10/16/armies-can-be-democratic-in-countries-in-no-war-no-peace-situation-armenian-dm/