for the opening of the main planning conference of the “Cooperative Longbow/Lancer and Bold Lynx – 2008 exercises”, to be held from 14-16 May 2008
14 May 2008, 09:00AM

Dear Friends, Dear Guests, Allow me to welcome you and congratulate all of us with the opening of the Main Planning Conference for the Cooperative Longbow/Lancer and Bold lynx – 2008 exercises. The participation of representatives of over 20 nations is itself an evidence of the important and contemporary nature of these exercises. Concerning the organization of the exercises, I couldn’t not to mention NATO states’ and other partner states’ role: the organization of this event as well became possible due to the cooperation between them and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia. In the time period after the Initial Planning Conference large amount of work was done with our partners and many basic matters were resolved. Notably, in April the working group of Heidelberg Allied Land Component Command, comprised of 10 experts, was present in Armenia. With them we discussed and agreed upon the arrangements concerning the host nation support that Armenia as a hosting nation should provide. I wish to thank our partners for the enthusiasm shown in our cooperation, for the great support conveyed for the matters of organization of this conference and for the active participation. I would like to assure you that the works of this planning conference will be carried out in a warm atmosphere, all the organizational questions will be thoroughly discussed and solved, and the conduct of planned exercises in the autumn of this year will portray high level organization and professionalism. It is welcoming that the conduct PfP and in the spirit of PfP exercises in Armenia have become a good tradition. We have always expressed readiness to host such events and I assure you that we are ready to welcome all the participants by providing the most convenient working conditions for the participants. I wish all the participants effective work and success.