Russia responds to Azerbaijan’s objection to arms transfer
Baku, June 2, AssA-Irada
Russia has responded to Azerbaijan’s objection over the transfer of
Russian arms from Georgia to Armenia.
Russian charge d’affaires in Azerbaijan Piotr Burdikin said that he
had forwarded a reply to Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. “The note says
that we are talking only about moving [weaponry] from one Russian base
to another and not about its transfer to Armenia. This is absolutely
impossible”, Burdikin said.
“Our country is under strong pressure to pull out weaponry from Georgia
as soon as possible. Initially, talks were underway on returning the
arms to the Russian Federation in normal conditions.
But then serious pressure was applied not only by Georgia but also
other states that insist on accelerating the process.”
Burdikin stated that the relocation of arms will not affect the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh.
“The arms transfer is not aimed at any other country and will not in
any way affect the Garabagh conflict settlement. It is in line with
international agreements, and I see no reason to embellish this,
unless you are trying to tarnish the Russo-Azeri relations.”*