‘RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IS ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF ARMENIA’S SECURITY’
By Tatoul Hakobian

AZG Armenian Daily #174
29/09/2005

Meeting

At a joint press conference with his Finn counterpart Tarja Halonen
Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated that the Russian military
base of Armenia is one of the elements of the country’s security. “We
are situated in a complicated region where separate states are working
to improve their relations. We are interested to see this base here
and view it a security element for Armenia”, Robert Kocharian said.

President Kocharian underscored that the presence of the Russian
base is within Armenia’s interests and it was established in line
with a bilateral agreement without pressure from Moscow. Yerevan is
not negotiating with Russia over expanding or enforcing the base.

Answering a question about the Nagorno Karabakh regulation RA President
said that the negotiation process is in full swing today and there
is certain hope for a final agreement. “There were moments when the
sides were close to a possible regulation but then obstacles came in”,
Kocharian said. President of Finland said on her part that in case of
a final agreement, the international community can send peacekeepers
to Karabakh.