YEREVAN.  Baku “remembered” Russia’s military presence in the South Caucasus and spoke out loud.

“Official Baku is concerned over the presence of Russian servicemen in Armenia,”Personal Representative of Azerbaijani President on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said in an interview with Ekho Moskvy.

According to him, Russia should shift from militaristic concept to economic one in the South Caucasus, 1news.az reports.

“Unfortunately, Russia finds it necessary to keep its armed forces in the territory of Armenia. We see less and less reason for such a militaristic concept in the South Caucasus. It is time to change tanks by the tanker, that is to replace military presence by the economic one,” he said. Later Azimov “explained” the goal of his previous statements, saying “it is in Russia’s interest to persuade Armenia to accept constructive proposals, presented during the talks.

As reported earlier, Russia’s 102nd military base is deployed in the territory of Armenia. Besides, protection of Armenia’s state borders is carried out by Russian border guards.

In addition to interfering in Armenia’s domestic affairs, Azimov’s statement apparently aims to blackmail Moscow and reduce its role as a mediator in the Karabakh conflict resolution.