Azerbaijani mass media distorted Georgian FM Grigol Vashadze's words: Foreign Ministry

Azerbaijani mass media have distorted the words of the Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, Armenia's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tigran Balayan told local Armenian news agency Mediamax, according to a release issued by Armenia's Foreign Ministry.

"We don't share that opinion. Our leadership has for several times expressed our view on the presence of the Russian military base in Armenia. We think that as usual the news reports presented by the Azerbaijani side contain distortions [of information]," said Mr Balayan.

Earlier Azerbaijani press reported that Mr Vashadze had said the extension of the agreement that regulates the duration of the deployment of the Russian military base in the Armenian town of Gyumri, threatens regional security and Armenia's sovereignty.

"The increase of the number of Russian military bases in the South Caucasus poses a great threat to Georgia, Azerbaijan and more to Armenia's sovereignty. This military base does not promise security, stability or cooperation to anyone. Moreover, this military base does not pave the way for the civil and diplomatic solution to the conflicts in the South Caucasus. The only aim of the Russian military base is to increase tension in the region. The extension of the term of deployment of this military base in Armenia for 24 years and change of its function poses serious threat to the region," Azerbaijani news agency APA quoted Mr Vashadze as saying.