SERGEY IVANOV: ARMENIA IS RUSSIA’S STRATEGIC PARTNER

Arka News Agency, Armenia
April 11 2007

YEREVAN, April 11. /ARKA/. Armenia is Russia’s strategic partner,
Russian First Deputy PM Sergey Ivanov said Wednesday answering
journalists’ question whether Armenia is Russia’s strategic partner
or stronghold.

"If you ask my personal view, I can answer since I am familiar very
well with the matter – I have often visited Armenia in last six or
seven years of my work at defense ministerial post. I think Armenia
is our strategic partner. This is gauged not only by military and
political interest", he said.

Ivanov also stressed that Russia and Armenia have been tied by common
culture for centuries.

Speaking about military cooperation, he said that Russia has a military
base in Armenia. In his words, the troops deployed in Armenia feel
themselves comfortable here and secure both Russian and Armenian
interests.

Ivanov said that the military base presence here is not directed
against other states, but "ensure our joint security, since we are
CSTO members".

He said Armenia and Russia are partners and allies and pointed out
Russian Defense Ministry’s school in Armenia as convincing evidence
of that.

In his words, he together with Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan
visited the school today.

Ivanov expressed gratitude to Armenian leadership and to Serge Sargsyan
personally for their care of the school.

He thinks the school is in very good state and Russian military and
their families feel themselves comfortable here.

Ivanov also pointed out that besides military cooperation there are
also economic and cultural ties and Russian language is a factor
making these ties closer.

The Armenian Prime Minister, in his turn, said that the statement about
"stronghold" a mere misunderstanding.

"Somebody wanted to take advantage from this and the man who said that
wanted to say something good, but said the first thing that came to
his mind", Sargsyan said.

Russia’s State Duma Speaker Boris Grizlov said during his visit to
Armenia in December 2004 that "Armenia is Russia’s stronghold in
South Caucasus".