Germany critical of increase in military expenses in South Caucasus

The extension of the agreement on the service period of the Russian military base in the Armenian city of Gyumri is something that Germany is following with great interest, Germany’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt told a press conference today in Yerevan.

Mr Schmidt said he was not familiar with the details of the extension of that agreement and therefore would not like to make any comment.

“As a neutral comment I can say that we are critical about the increase in military expenses in the South Caucasus,” said he.

Further Mr Schmidt mentioned that Germany is critical also about the possible arms trade deal between Moscow and Baku that would see Russia sell S-300 anti-air defense systems to Azerbaijan.