The main task of the Russian military base in Armenia is defending Russia’s interests, which, of course, includes maintaining stability in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region.

The task was initially set to the Russian military base when a relevant agreement was signed in Yerevan. The task was by no means changed as the agreement was prolonged for the next 49 years, RF Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Azeri mass media, commenting on the protocol signed in Yerevan on August 20.

The protocol prolongs the agreement on the Russian military base in Armenia for 49 years – nothing more. It does not change either base’s functions or the numerical strength or the amount of weapons at the base. So any changes in the balances of forces in the region the protocol might cause are out of the question. Nor can we say that the prolongation of the Russian military base’s presence for 49 years violates any agreements,” Trend reports, quoting Minister Lavrov.