Armenia and Russia will sign a protocol on amendments to the agreement on the Russian military base in Armenia.

Under a draft protocol, amendments are to be introduced to the agreement. According to the amendments, besides defending Russia’s interests, the Russian military base in Armenia will also ensure Armenia’s security jointly with the Armenian armed forces. With this end in view, Russia is to assist Armenia in getting modern arms and military equipment, Intefax reports.

According to the document, the military units of the Russian military base will be employed under bilateral agreements, the Collective Security Treaty of May 15, 1992, Armenian-Russian Friendship and Mutual Assistance Treaty of August 29, 1997, as well as in conformity with national laws.

The draft protocol proposes the following wording for Article 26: the agreement will be in effect for 49 years to be prolonged for the following five years if neither side notifies the other, in a written form and at least six months before the regular term expires, of its intention to terminate the agreement.