Armenia: Russia’s traditional ally

The Messenger, Georgia
Nov 26 2004

According to the Russian weekly newspaper Military-Industrial Courier,
while Georgia and Azerbaijan do not conceal their aspiration to join
the NATO as soon as possible, Armenia has consistently strengthened
its military-strategic partnership with Russia. The 9th joint
Russian-Armenian military training has been held in the country
recently. The Russian armed forces were present at this training
through its subdivision of the 102nd military base located in Gumri.

According to the assessment of sociologists, Armenian public opinion
perceives the Russian army as the guarantor of security in their
country. Facing real threats from Turkey, Armenia pays a great deal
of attention to defensive expenditures, preparation of its general
staff and technical rearmament of the army. About 600 Armenian
military officers receive their education at senior military-training
institutes is Russia. Moscow provides Yerevan with military equipment,
extra parts and other military property as well.

According to the paper, the fact that Armenia has one of the best
armies among the post-Soviet countries is the considerable merit of
President Robert Kocharian, who received real fighting experience by
heading the defense committee of Nagorno-Karabakh from 1992-1994. As a
matter of fact, this was the starting point of his path toward great
politics. “Today, in the person of Robert Kocharian, the Kremlin has
not only a reliable partner in this region, but also military-political
ally, who is ready to defend together with Russia common geopolitical
priorities,” the newspaper writes.