YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan reflected on Russian military base detachment’s participation in the military parade held in Yerevan on Wednesday on the occasion of 20th anniversary of Armenian’s independence. This matter had brought forth certain discontentment among Armenian society.    

 “Together with Armenian military servicemen, military servicemen of the Russian Federation (RF), Armenia’s strategic partner, also marched in the military parade devoted to 20th anniversary of independence. [They are the military servicemen] of that country which brings its undeniable support to our country’s security, that is, the securing of independence, whose clear evidence is the current level of military and military-technical cooperation. And using the term “foreign country” is not only inconsistent with reality, but it also sounds alien to all those who throughout the years have witnessed the successful implementation of RF-Armenia military programs,” deputy defense minister told Armenian News-NEWS.am.      

“Other state subdivisions’ participation in military parades is an accepted practice. As case in point, the Honor Guard Company of Armenia’s Armed Forces several months ago participated in the military parade organized on Italy’s national holiday. Such practice exists in France, too,” Davit Tonoyan concluded.