DAVIT TONOYAN: USING THE PHRASE "FOREIGN COUNTRY" IN RELATION TO RUSSIA SOUNDS STRANGE
ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 22, 2011
YEREVAN
Using the phrase "foreign country" in relation to Russia sounds
strange to all those who are aware of the joint Russian Armenian
military projects, deputy defense minister Davit Tonoyan said,
commenting on the recent public discontent in connection with the
presence of Russian troops at Armenia's independence parade.
"The servicemen of Russia, Armenia's strategic ally, marched alongside
Armenian servicemen at the parade dedicated to the 20th anniversary
of independence. They are from a country which provides an invaluable
support to our security," he said. "For Russia, the phrase 'foreign
country' does not coincide with the reality but also sounds strange to
all those who, over the course of years, have witnessed the successful
implementation of Armenian-Russian joint military projects", the
deputy minister stressed.
Tonoyan said presence of foreign troops in military parades is an
internationally recognized practice. According to him, a battalion
of Armenian honor guards attended a military parade in Italy a few
months ago. Such practice also exists in France.
ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 22, 2011
YEREVAN
Using the phrase "foreign country" in relation to Russia sounds
strange to all those who are aware of the joint Russian Armenian
military projects, deputy defense minister Davit Tonoyan said,
commenting on the recent public discontent in connection with the
presence of Russian troops at Armenia's independence parade.
"The servicemen of Russia, Armenia's strategic ally, marched alongside
Armenian servicemen at the parade dedicated to the 20th anniversary
of independence. They are from a country which provides an invaluable
support to our security," he said. "For Russia, the phrase 'foreign
country' does not coincide with the reality but also sounds strange to
all those who, over the course of years, have witnessed the successful
implementation of Armenian-Russian joint military projects", the
deputy minister stressed.
Tonoyan said presence of foreign troops in military parades is an
internationally recognized practice. According to him, a battalion
of Armenian honor guards attended a military parade in Italy a few
months ago. Such practice also exists in France.