U.S. Secretary Of The Navy Ray Mabus Visits Armenia

U.S. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY RAY MABUS VISITS ARMENIA
Karen Ghazaryan

“Radiolur”
15:23 29.10.2012

Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan received today U.S.

Secretary of the Navy . The two discussed regional and global security
issues and opportunities for greater cooperation. The meeting was
followed by a joint press conference.

“The military cooperation between Armenia and the United States is
developing dynamically. The relations between Armenian and American
defense agencies have been special in 2011-2012; there have been
a number of reciprocal visits and consultations,” Minister Ohanyan
told reporters.

“The current visit evidences that the relations between the two
countries in the field of defense are in a high level and tend to
develop,” the Minister said.

Seyran Ohanyan presented the directions of cooperation discussed with
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. “The parties will exchange experience
in the field of military production,” he said.

The US Navy has played a great role in the Armenian-American military
cooperation. About 200 Armenian peacekeepers have trained in the US
only this year.

Ray Mabus said, in turn, that the US attaches great importance to
the relations with Armenia and appreciated the contribution of the
Armenian forces to the missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

The US Navy has worked with the Armenian Defense Ministry on issues
of military planning and organization of joint trainings, he said.

Mabus also discussed the importance of defense reform, peacekeeping
operations and training, as well as the professionalization of the
non-commissioned officer (NCO) corps. Mabus discussed cooperation
with U.S. Marine Forces Europe through the Black Sea Rotational Forces.

“I am grateful for the warm and gracious hospitality of the Armenian
people,” said Mabus. “We value our engagement with Armenia and my
visit here underscores the importance of the South Caucasus region.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress