BASE IN ARMENIA IS PART OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA-IVANOV
ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
April 11, 2007 Wednesday
Neither the size nor plans of the Russian military base in Armenia
"bear any aggressive traits or are targeted against third countries,
but they effectively maintain our security," Russia’s First Deputy
Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov told a joint news conference with
Armenia’s Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian on Wednesday.
"For this reason the presence of the base should be regarded as a
component of strategic partnership between Russia and Armenia.
Cooperation is not confined to this base, though. There are also the
economy, culture and Russian language.
"I believe that Armenia is our strategic partner. The military factor
is not the sole yardstick. The cultural and historical roots that
bond us together are hundreds, even thousands of years old," he said.