Tweet
D. Tonoyan: Russian military base in Armenia equipped with 18 helicopters
Saturday, Novembe 23, 2013
The Russian military base in Armenia is deployed in various areas -
military towns whose list is subject to change in case of need, First
Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia David Tonoyan said in an interview
with RFE/RL Armenian service, when commenting on the Armenian
government's decision to allocate additional areas to the Russian
military base.
In his words, the latest decision to allocate additional lands to the
Russian side stems from Armenia's security interests. He said that for
the same reason the Russian base is being equipped with 18
helicopters.
`The air force component of the 102nd base is being reinforced with a
helicopter squadron as the military base's tasks of ensuring the
security of Armenia have changed,' the deputy minister said.
He explained that the lands allocated for modernization of the Russian
air base located in Erebuni Airport and for its re-equipment with
modern weapons are not used currently by Armenian troops and have been
provided for temporary use.
`The temporary use means a period, for which the deployment of the
Russian military base in Armenia has been extended,' the deputy
minister clarified.
Let us remind you that in April 2011 Armenia's National Assembly
ratified a decision to prolong the deployment of the Russian military
base in Armenia for 49 years.
Asked on what conditions the areas are allocated and if the Russia
side pays for them, David Tonoyan replied: `Russia does not pay
financially, but our agreements on ensuring our security are above
financial aspects'.
Asked why the Russian military base is being modernized and if that
modernization means that tension has increased, D. Tonoyan said: `I
would call it a preventive step to ensure regional security, but the
Russian base is also being brought into line with modern standards'.
As regards the further development of Armenia-NATO relations given
that, according to statements of the Armenian authorities, Armenia
will join the Customs Union in a few months, the deputy minister said:
`From the viewpoint of cooperation in the spheres where we cooperate,
it is assistance with our reforms, our military training, and
formation of our skills in peacekeeping cooperation. In this sense we
don't see any restrictions for our cooperation with NATO or EU
countries'. NATO's cooperation with Armenia is being carried out
within the framework of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP),
he added.
The recent gunfire opened by Azerbaijan at border areas of Tavush
province in Armenia was also discussed during the talk with the deputy
minister. Asked why the Azerbaijan side displayed such activity as
there had been no similar incidents in recent years, D. Tonoyan said:
`In recent years Azerbaijan didn't hold presidential elections, nor
was a new defense minister appointed. Our analysis shows that it was
more conditioned by the transition period when the new defense
minister was appointed'.
`Since the moment when the Minsk Group Co-chairs said that military
actions can be seen as actions aimed at damaging peace efforts, the
number of ceasefire violations has declined sharply,' David Tonoyan
added.
TODAY, 14:45
Aysor.am
Saturday, Novembe 23, 2013
The Russian military base in Armenia is deployed in various areas -
military towns whose list is subject to change in case of need, First
Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia David Tonoyan said in an interview
with RFE/RL Armenian service, when commenting on the Armenian
government's decision to allocate additional areas to the Russian
military base.
In his words, the latest decision to allocate additional lands to the
Russian side stems from Armenia's security interests. He said that for
the same reason the Russian base is being equipped with 18
helicopters.
`The air force component of the 102nd base is being reinforced with a
helicopter squadron as the military base's tasks of ensuring the
security of Armenia have changed,' the deputy minister said.
He explained that the lands allocated for modernization of the Russian
air base located in Erebuni Airport and for its re-equipment with
modern weapons are not used currently by Armenian troops and have been
provided for temporary use.
`The temporary use means a period, for which the deployment of the
Russian military base in Armenia has been extended,' the deputy
minister clarified.
Let us remind you that in April 2011 Armenia's National Assembly
ratified a decision to prolong the deployment of the Russian military
base in Armenia for 49 years.
Asked on what conditions the areas are allocated and if the Russia
side pays for them, David Tonoyan replied: `Russia does not pay
financially, but our agreements on ensuring our security are above
financial aspects'.
Asked why the Russian military base is being modernized and if that
modernization means that tension has increased, D. Tonoyan said: `I
would call it a preventive step to ensure regional security, but the
Russian base is also being brought into line with modern standards'.
As regards the further development of Armenia-NATO relations given
that, according to statements of the Armenian authorities, Armenia
will join the Customs Union in a few months, the deputy minister said:
`From the viewpoint of cooperation in the spheres where we cooperate,
it is assistance with our reforms, our military training, and
formation of our skills in peacekeeping cooperation. In this sense we
don't see any restrictions for our cooperation with NATO or EU
countries'. NATO's cooperation with Armenia is being carried out
within the framework of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP),
he added.
The recent gunfire opened by Azerbaijan at border areas of Tavush
province in Armenia was also discussed during the talk with the deputy
minister. Asked why the Azerbaijan side displayed such activity as
there had been no similar incidents in recent years, D. Tonoyan said:
`In recent years Azerbaijan didn't hold presidential elections, nor
was a new defense minister appointed. Our analysis shows that it was
more conditioned by the transition period when the new defense
minister was appointed'.
`Since the moment when the Minsk Group Co-chairs said that military
actions can be seen as actions aimed at damaging peace efforts, the
number of ceasefire violations has declined sharply,' David Tonoyan
added.
TODAY, 14:45
Aysor.am