Russia will not deploy any new military base in Armenia, says defense minister

The defense pact recently signed with Russia is very important for Armenia, Seyran Ohanyan, the Defense Minister of Armenia, told journalists at a briefing today.

“We consider the extension of that agreement as extremely important as with that [agreement] we strengthen our military-political alliance [with Russia],” said he.

Armenia signed a protocol with Russia which prolonged the deployement of the Russian military base in Armenia’s second-largest town of Gyumri for 24 years up to 2044.

According to Mr Ohanyan, this document enables Armenia to further develop its military capabilities together with the Russian Federation in order to resist the current threats.

Further he went on saying that the Russian base is currently being reformed and renovated.

“The structural and functional problems in that base will be made optimal, and we will together do what is stipulated in the agreement,” said Mr Ohanyan, adding that the document does not envisage the deployment of any new military base in Armenia.