Defense Minister of Armenia Michael Haroutounyan received the delegation headed by the Special representative of the NATO Secretary General in the South Caucasus Robert Simmons.

Michael Haroutounyan and Robert Simmons discussed the prospect of sending Armenian medical doctors to serve with ISAF. Their professional assistance could be extended also to civilian population. During the meeting issues of defense reform, of civil service in the MOD and increase of transparency were discussed. Michael Haroutounyan informed Robert Simmons that soon the Representative of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia (Ombudsman) in the Armed Forces will take up his responsibilities. Defense minister Michael Haroutounyan expressed concern in connection with the recent statement by to the effect that it may stop honoring the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forced in Europe (CFE Treaty). He also drew the attention to the significant excess numbers of treaty limited equipment declared by. Robert Simmons noted that NATO holds a strong position for the strict fulfillment of all the provisions of the CFE Treaty and will be looking into ways to assure its further viability.