V. Sargsyan: Putin visit boosts modernization of Russian base in Gyumri

The modernization of the Russian military base stationed in Gyumri stems from Armenia’s security interests and the visit paid to that base by the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces will play a stimulating role in this sense, the Chief of the Armenian President’s Staff Vigen Sargsyan said at a meeting with reporters today.

V. Sargsyan attached importance to the fact that the Russian side accepted the proposal and the presidents of the two states visited the Russian 102nd military base in Gyumri.

“The former restriction saying that the military base can only be used in case of a danger to the former external borders of the USSR has been removed from the agreement, under which the presence of the military base in Armenia has been prolonged. In other words, the mandate of the military base’s operations has been extended. I think in this context it is important for us that the military base be super-modern and very strong and its servicemen have a high level of military training. No doubt a visit of the Supreme Commander always plays a stimulating role and I believe that it was a clear signal to those who questions the real potential of Armenian-Russian military and political cooperation and impact on settlement of regional problems,” V. Sargsyan said.

Asked if Vladimir Putin’s visit is a confirmation of the statement of the military base commander Andrei Ruzinsky who said that in case of an armed conflict in Nagorno Karabakh, the military base may enter into the conflict, Vigen Sargsyan reminded those present about the Russian president’s answer that his country is extremely interested in a peaceful resolution to the problem.

“If I am not mistaken, the Russian president said that it is better to speak about peace because by speaking about war, one can excite the imagination of those who nevertheless consider a military path as possible for resolution of this conflict,” Vigen Sargsyan said.