RUSSIA TO RETAIN MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA TILL 2044
Vinay Shukla
MSN India
June 22 2011
Moscow, Jun 22 (PTI) Russia”s Upper House today ratified an agreement
which will allow Moscow to retain its military base in Armenia
till 2044.
The Russian Federation Council ratified a protocol signed between
Moscow and Yerevan in 2010, amending a 1995 bilateral pact extending
use of the former Soviet 102nd Military Base in Gyumri (former
Leninakan) near Armenia”s border with Turkey through 2044.
South Caucasian Armenia is a member of Russia-led Collective Security
Treaty Organisation (CSTO) of seven former Soviet republics, now
independent states.
The base is under the command of Russia”s North Caucasus Military
District and is part of the CIS integrated-air defence system.
At Gyumri base, Russia has deployed around 5,000 personnel and S-300
surface-to-air missile complexes and MiG-29 fighters.