In Georgia, extensive joint command and staff exercises of the NATO member countries and partners of the NATO-GEO EXERCISE 2019 alliance have begun, involving more than 343 military personnel from 24 countries, with the exception of Armenia, writes the Armenian newspaper "168 Zham". "Units from Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Holland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, USA, Azerbaijan and Georgia will participate in the exercises. Officially, the purpose of the exercise is to increase the interoperability of Georgia, the Alliance and the partner countries and strengthen the administrative and controll capacity of the Georgian armed forces.  NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will be watching the exercises during his visit to Georgia. However, there will be no Armenian military in NATO-led military exercises. In this context, Defense Department spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said: "We do not need such a scenario of military exercises." Further explanations of the reasons for not participating in NATO exercises have not been issued. According to "168 Zham," it is obvious that the question of participating in NATO exercises is decided at the highest political level, and it is also clear that the reason for not participating in the exercises is the fear of Russian anger.

It is known that participation of Armenia in similar exercises in the past has been perceived very negatively in Russia. "And, as we know, the new Armenian government is doing everything it can to bring Russia closer. Anyway, participating in NATO exercises would not fit in with this logic, "writes the newspaper.