ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER WELCOMES NEW COMMANDER OF RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE

YEREVAN, April 20. / ARKA /. Armenian defense minister Seyran Ohanyan
had a meeting today with the newly appointed commander of the 102nd
Russian military base in Armenia, Major-General Vladimir Ustinov.

The Armenian defense ministry said Ohanyan congratulated Ustinov
on taking over the new position wishing him success and expressing
confidence in further strengthening of the Armenian-Russian strategic
partnership.

Ustinov had also a meeting with the chief of staff of Armenian armed
forces Colonel-General Yuri Khachaturov. Vladimir Ustinov has replaced
former commander of the base Andrei Ruzinsky.

The Russian military base located in the city of Gyumri about 120
kilometers north of the Armenian capital Yerevan. The base is part of
the Joint Air Defense System of the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS).

In 2010 Russia and Armenia signed an agreement to extend the deployment
of the base until 2044. The agreements also provides for the expansion
of its geographic and strategic responsibility. The base is equipped
with S-300 surface-to-air missile and MiG-29 fighters. -0-

From: Baghdasarian