Civilnet
By Emilio Luciano Cricchio
Part of the Russian military base in Armenia may be transferred to the east of the country, Armenian Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan said in an interview with Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
Harutyunyan stated that Armenia is interested in expanding the 102nd Russian military base in the northern city of Gyumri.
“The issue of expanding and strengthening the Russian military base in Armenia has always been on the agenda. (...) The expansion of the capabilities of the base will increase the potential (of both the Armenian and Russian Armed Forces).”
Harutyunyan added that there are active discussions going on between Moscow and Yerevan regarding the deployment of a unit of the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri to the east of Armenia, near Nagorno-Karabakh.
Regarding the setting up of an additional Russian military base, Harutyunyan responded that the deployment of additional units to Armenia is not necessary. “At the moment, the legal framework between our states regulates the activities of only one Russian base.”
A Russian military base in Gyumri was set up in accordance with an agreement in 1995. In 2010, the agreement was amended, which extended the lease of the base from 25 to 49 years, until 2044.
According to the Armenian Defense Minister, Russian border guards in Armenia’s south have been assigned additional functions to ensure the security of the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan. He did not provide any other details on this issue.
Soon after the November 9 ceasefire agreement, Russian border guards were deployed to the southern border areas of the region of Syunik, which returned to Soviet-era borders, after several regions were handed over to Azerbaijan.
With regards to military reform, Harutyunyan stipulated that changes are already being carried out, which include the numerical composition of the armed forces being optimized, new weapons being delivered, and new equipment systems being set up.
"The implementation of military reforms in Armenia is not only planned but is already being implemented. At the same time, our Russian partners are directly involved in this process. (...) Of course, much remains to be done in terms of restoring and modernizing the combat capability of the Defense Army, but whatever it is, it needs to be done,” said Harutyunyan.
The defense minister concluded by stating that Armenia will never abandon its mission of being the guarantor of the security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
And finally, Yerevan hopes that joint efforts with Russia will eventually ensure long-term peace in Karabakh.
In picture: Armenia's Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan (Photolure)
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