US intends to appoint advisor to Armenian Ministry of Defense -  Kristina Kvien 

ArmInfo. The US and Armenia have very active and substantive discussions on security and defense  issues. This was stated by US Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien.

The diplomat recalled that last year Armenia and the United States  held their first joint exercises since 2008.  "I think this is a very  important sign that the United States and Armenia can work together  in the defense sector. We are also looking for additional ways to  continue this work. We will also have an adviser who will work with  the Armenian Ministry of Defense to build capacity. Especially  because Armenia is interested in expanding its participation in  issues such as peacekeeping and other peace initiatives. We want to  be useful and will work both in the field of peacekeeping and in the  direction of internal reforms, in particular in the issue of  reforming the Armenian Ministry of Defense by modern standards," the  diplomat noted.

When asked to clarify whether discussions were ongoing on the supply  of American weapons to Armenia, Kristina Kvien assured that there are  ongoing discussions between the parties regarding what Armenia may  need in the military sector.

"We have already agreed on several things. From these agreements, I  can highlight one: Armenia has requested armored ambulances, in which  they will be able to enter the conflict zone, and the people  transported in these vehicles will be protected. We have already  agreed to move further in this direction and now we are working on  how to do this so that we can provide such assistance. And, as I  already said, we are discussing various topics and trying to  understand where we can be useful to Armenia in terms of its  protection," the diplomat said.

At the same time, she denied the circulating reports that American  specialists could join the ranks of the EU civilian mission on the  territory of the Republic of Armenia. "No, we don't have such a plan  yet. But in the future, of course, we don't rule out anything,"  Ambassador Kvien said in response to a corresponding question from  the RFE/RL's Armenian Service.