/Itar-Tass/ -- Armenia launches its peacemaking mission in Afghanistan, joining the German contingent there. The first soldiers, ten of the total 40, have left for a four-week training mission in Germany, Armenian Defense Minister Seiran Ohanyan said Saturday.

The remaining 30 will fly to Cologne on January 17. After the training is over, the Armenian soldiers will go to Afghanistan for half a year.

The division will be guarding the airport in Kunduz, a city in the northern part of the country.

“We cannot stay aside from joint measures to provide international peace,” Ohanyan said.

He addressed soldiers with a call to protect the Afghans and to be attentive to the local population's needs.

Ohanyan thanked German partners for the overall support in providing the Armenian soldiers with all the necessary conditions both in Germany and Afghanistan.

Armenia has been actively taking part in peacemaking missions since 2003, including Kosovo and Iraq.

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