YEREVAN. – Russian military base in Gyumri, which is considered a strategic facility in Armenia, has been the focus of the authorities, Past newspaper writes on Saturday.

According to the newspaper, the authorities are trying to push for discussions on whether the base has to be removed from Armenia.

“Some circles are eager to get rid of the base, but the authorities have serious concerns in this regard and do not make any explicit reference to it on their behalf,” the newspaper writes.

The article says “the so-called foreign grant and assistance receiving” experts have come to the forefront. Pro-Western political analysts and experts supporting the authorities has once again made this issue a subject of speculation, and they regularly touch upon the need to remove base in their interviews.

The authors of the article believe this is somehow an attempt “to test public mood”.  According to some rumors, Russia’s senior officials expressed their concern over the matter, but Armenian counterparts are trying to duck the question.