On June 21 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, received Mr. Robert Simmons, NATO General Secretary's Special Representative for the South Caucasus. Mr. Arman Kirakossian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and Mr. Samvel Mkrtchyan, Head of Permanent Mission in NATO of the Republic of Armenia, participated at that meeting.

Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, noted that serious achievements have been stated in the cooperation during the short period of time since the previous meeting, the spheres related to the National Assembly were highlighted: in particular the improvement of the electoral processes and legislation. In that aspect the NA President noted that there is a necessity to revise the Individual Partnership Action Plan as many clauses have been already implemented, and new opportunities for cooperation have been emerged. Mr. Torosyan touched upon the amendments carried out after 2005 constitutional reforms, noting that the changes of the political system had been also entered into force after 2007 parliamentary elections providing the new role of the National Assembly in the political life of the country.

Mr. Robert Simmons, NATO General Secretary's Special Representative for the South Caucasus, congratulated the NA President on behalf of the NATO Secretary General on the occasion of being reelected and the parliamentary elections being honored with high estimation by the international observers, and expressed satisfaction that the Individual Partnership Action Plan is successfully implemented. Within the framework of this program the cognitive courses for the newly elected MPs are envisaged in the NATO PA. Mr. Simmons asked the NA President to include the MPs, as well as the employees of the NA Staff into these courses. Mr. Simmons expressed confidence that the National Assembly of the fourth convocation will also favor to the implementation of the IPAP, noting the issues of the establishment of the crisis management system and the safety of borders. He touched upon the presence of the Armenian peacekeepers in Kosovo emphasizing the importance of their role in  peacekeeping .

Touching upon the implementation of the IPAP Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, noted that he would form the delegation of the participants after determining the terms of the courses. The President of the Parliament highlighted the professionalism of the staff, the importance of their readiness to solve the proposed problems, considering necessary these courses in this context. Related to the Armenian peacekeepers in Kosovo it was noted, that Armenia as a full member of the international community is ready to expand its presence, and the National Assembly will support in that issue. The President of the National Assembly proposed to take steps for giving new quality to the cooperation in the aspect of the expansion of the inclusion of the regional program, which will be a good support for overcoming the conflicts. In this context Mr. Torosyan also touched upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict noting that the NATO isn’t engaged in that issue, however all the international structures, which proved their efficiency within decades, have their principles and approaches,  and should protect more firmly, favoring to the settlement of the conflicts as well as to the development of the countries. Mr. Torosyan noted in particular, the hatred and war propaganda growing day by day in Azerbaijan, which contradicts the optimism of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmen in the settlement of the conflict. It is unbelievable that the state, propagandizing hatred and war, prepares its people for the settlement of the conflict. There has never been such a propaganda and policy in Armenia. Such a policy gives a basis to think that Azerbaijan does not wish the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, retaining an opportunity of the false patriotic appeals and the increase of the military expenditures in the budget, though it hardly seriously thinks that can solve the problem through war.

Mr. Simmons agreed that both countries should prepare their peoples for the peace settlement of the conflict, which supposes compromises. And though the NATO is not engaged in this conflict, this structure pays great attention to the resolution of the conflict and regional problems: a new officer of communication has been already appointed. He will also contribute to the development of cooperation between three countries. Mr. Simmons, noting the necessity of the further meetings and debates both in Yerevan and in Brussels, emphasized the importance of deepening the cooperation with the National Assembly.

Mr. Arthur Aghabekyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, also received the delegation headed by Mr. Robert Simmons, NATO General Secretary's Special Representative for the South Caucasus.

The process of implementing the reforms envisaged by the Individual Partnership Action Plan, the involvement of the civil persons in the sphere of defense, the transparency of the works of the sphere, the perfection of the information field, the participation and continuity of the Armenian subdivisions in the structure of the international peacekeeping forces, the issues related to the specialists’ preparation, in the implementation of which the role of the National Assembly and the coordinated work with the Government were discussed at the meeting.

Mr. Aghabekyan informed that the draft law on Special Service in the Sphere of Defense, which is in circulation, and the draft law on Defense, which is in the preparatory stage, basically will solve the raised questions and will enable to carry out serious reforms in the field of defense. He noticed that the programs of support in the specialists’ preparation were not productive, and he expressed a hope that positive moves will be in this issue with the support of the NATO. Mr. Simmons noted that he will personally do the utmost for the implementation of the retraining program of the employees of the parliament, which effectively functions in Georgia.

Both sides expressed readiness for the effective realization and continuation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan, emphasizing the importance of the legislative reforms of the sphere.