Conference on planning “Armenia-2010” joint exercise on eliminating consequences of emergency situations within the framework of NATO “Partnership for Peace” program was launched in Yerevan today.

Mediamax reports that the exercise will take place on September 11-17, 2010, on the firing ground of Armenia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations near Arzni village in Kotayk region. Over 1000 rescuers from 25 countries will participate in the maneuvers.

As the Head of “Emergency Channel” Information Center Nikolay Grigoryan informed journalists, during the exercise a scenario will be elaborated for eliminating the consequences of a strong earthquake. He noted that Armenian rescuers have been participating in such annual maneuvers since 2003.

Representatives of 20 NATO member countries and participants of “Partnership for Peace” program participate in the conference. Before the launch of the conference, a memorandum of understanding on holding the exercise was signed between the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia and NATO Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre.