Armenia, U.S. to hold joint military exercise - Armenian Defense Ministry

YEREVAN. Sept 6 (Interfax) - Armenia will host an Armenian-U.S. military exercise starting on September 11, the Armenian Defense Ministry said.

"As part of preparations for participating in international peacekeeping missions, the Armenian-U.S. Eagle Partner 2023 exercise will take place in Armenia, on the grounds of the Zar training center of the Armenian Defense Ministry's peacekeeping brigade, on September 11-20," the ministry press service said.

The exercise will train stabilization operations for the conflicting sides while performing peacekeeping missions, it said.

"The purpose of the exercise is to enhance interaction of a unit involved in international peacekeeping missions as part of peacekeeping operations, exchange best practices in control and tactical communication, and bolster the Armenian unit's readiness for assessments planned under the Operational Capabilities Concept of the NATO Partnership for Peace program," the ministry said.

While preparing for peacekeeping missions, the units readying for international peacekeeping operations regularly take part in similar joint exercises hosted by partner states, it said.

In January, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said hosting of a Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) exercise by Armenia in 2023 was inexpedient.

"The Armenian defense minister has informed the CSTO Joint Staff that we deem the hosting of a CSTO exercise by Armenia to be inexpedient under the circumstances. There will be no such exercise in Armenia at least this year," Pashinyan said then.