YEREVAN. – We can develop our independent air defense system, said Edmon Marukyan, head of the "Bright Armenia" party, an independent MP of the Armenian parliament.

 “I voted against that agreement, mostly because Russia supplies arms to Azerbaijan. We raised that issue with a sharp criticism, and now everything fell into its place. In fact , they can supply arms again”, Marukyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am referring to the joint air defense agreement signed between Armenia and Russia.

He noted that the agreement does not instill confidence in him.

 "I do not believe in this kind of cooperation. I think that we can develop our independent air defense forces, and we have to develop them. This agreement was concluded after Azerbaijan had crashed an Armenian helicopter. There is nothing new. I do not exclude a version that this step could have been initiated by the Armenian side, as for allegedly protection of our airspace,” he said.

It should be noted that on 3 June of 2015 the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly discussed Armenia-Russia agreement on the creation of a united regional air defense system in the Caucasus signed in December. The agreement was included in the agenda of the National Assembly for ratification receiving a positive assessment. It provoked a reaction in certain political and civic circles who criticize Armenian for yielding even its airspace to Russia.