The Russian Government approved and submitted for ratification the protocol on extending Russia’s use of a military base in Armenia to the Russian President RIA Novosti reports.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, during his state visit to Armenia, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed amendments to a 1995 bilateral treaty extending Russia’s use of a military base near Armenia’s border with Turkey through 2044. The term of the 1995 deal on the base in Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city, had been extended from 25 to 49 years. 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.