YEREVAN. - The Russian military base dislocated in the territory of Armenia serves as a guarantor of stability in the Caucasian region, Deputy Defense Minister of Russia Anatoly Antonov told journalists on Tuesday, RIA Novosti reports.
“The successful functioning of the Russian 102nd military base is another index of the level of our ally relations,” Antonov noted.
He also stressed that the Russian-Armenian Interstate Committee on the presence of the Russian military base in Armenia works actively. “Its subsequent meeting took place in Yerevan in late July,” the Deputy Defense Minister said.
In his words, the “plan of joint work of Russian and Armenian Defense Ministries for 2016 is successfully being carried out”.
“It includes over 40 different activities, 22 out of which have already been carried out,” Antonov said.
Referring to the meeting between the Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu and his Armenian counterpart Seyran Ohanyan on Tuesday, he noted that the issue of preparing skilled workers for the Armed Forces of Armenia was discussed.
“Currently 203 Armenian servicemen are learning at 24 higher education institutions of the Russian Defense Ministry free of charge. They are getting quality education. This year we will admit 211 other people,” Antonov said.
According to the assessment of the military leadership of both countries, the practical experience of joint military preparation events is significant. This year, the subdivisions of the armed forces of both countries have been engaged in the CSTO’s “Unbreakable brotherhood 2016” and the CSTO Operative Response Collective Forces “Cooperation 2016” drills, which will be held in Belarus and Russia respectively.
“The Armenian teams performed decently during the completed International Army Games. They demonstrated high professional qualities in Tank Biathlon, Army Scout Masters and Sniper Frontier competitions,” Antonov said.
Besides, the Russian official added that the Russian Defense Minister Shoygu has personally invited his Armenian counterpart to the subsequent meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS member-states, which will be held in Moscow in November. Seyran Ohanyan was also invited to attend the international military and technical forum Army 2016 as a guest.
