Longer-term presence of the Russian military base in Armenia – from 25 to 49 years meets Armenia’s national interests.

“The Russian side’s interest is the opportunity to plan long-term developing its armed forces and strategic interests. Our interest is assistance in ensuring our national security, President Serzh Sargsyan stated in an interview with the Ukraine-based “Profil” magazine.

According to him, “it is a serious factor for preventing hostilities, a good opportunity to re-arm our army in conformity with modern standards. So I think the longer-term presence meets out national interests,” President Sargsyan said.

As to the reasons for the decision, the Armenian leader said: “I personally did it with pleasure. You must have heard many times that no state, even the strongest and largest, to say nothing of small Armenia, is able to ensure its security alone. Armenia and Russia are allies, strategic partners, and not only on the bilateral basis, but also within the CSTO. We are living in a region with numerous threats. Some individual countries even challenge Armenians’ right to live in their historical land. For historical and contemporary reasons, armed conflicts are likely in our regions,” the Armenian leader said.

A protocol signed during RF President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Yerevan, prolonged the Russian military base’s presence for up to 49 years.