The final conference on planning joint exercise “Armenia-2010” on eliminating consequences of emergency situations, which will be held within the framework of NATO “Partnership for Peace” program, was launched in Yerevan today.

Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Yeritsyan informed that during the exercise they will work out a scenario on eliminating consequences of a strong earthquake given coordination of actions of local and foreign organizations. According to him, Armenian rescuers have been participating in such annual exercises since 2003 and have always been given high assessments.

Head of the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre Guenter Bretshneider expressed confidence that the exercise will proceed in an atmosphere of solidarity and will demonstrate the level of the countries’ readiness to overcome consequences of natural disasters.

Representatives of 7 international organizations and 23 NATO member countries and participants of “Partnership for Peace” program participate in the conference.

The exercise will take place on September 11-17 in the neighborhood of Arzni village in Kotayk marz on the firing field of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations. Over 600 rescuers from 25 countries will participate in it.