In an interview with Interfax, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri allows for ensuring security in the region.
“There are appropriate formats and platforms for Russia and Armenia to discuss their military and technical issues. I won’t go into detail since there is an established platform for discussion on this sector,” he said in response to a question whether Armenia plans to address Russia with the request for a new loan and when Armenia will be ready to pay off the loan that was given for armament and purchase of technical equipment.
In response to the specifying question whether Armenia intends to purchase new military jets and helicopters, Mnatsakanyan said Armenia intends to do everything to strengthen the country’s defensibility.
Asked if Yerevan is interested in maintaining the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri, the minister said the following: “Armenia doesn’t pose a threat to any country in the region. Russia and Armenia have common interests in terms of security, and it is based on these mutual interests that we are pursuing the common goal to ensure security. The military base is helping achieve the goal.”
