President Serzh Sargsyan has said that Armenia and Russia need to discuss creation of a joint military-industrial complex in the town of Gyumri.

In an interview with Izvestia, Sargsyan said that Armenia is consistently building up its defense capability, including in the framework of military-technical cooperation with Russia. Also, he stressed the role of the 102nd Russian military base created on the territory of Armenia.

To increase the efficiency of service of the base in Gyumri, Sargsyan said “it is advisable for Armenia and Russia to discuss the establishment of a joint military-industrial complex in Gyumri.”

Creation of jobs in Gyumri, in the president’s opinion, would also help improve social and economic conditions in the city where the 102nd Russian military base is deployed.

Izvestia’s article comes ahead of Sargsyan's two-day visit to Russia which will commence later on Tuesday, March 14. Sargsyan will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to discuss bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas, as well as prospects of further integration in the Eurasian bloc. The two are also expected to exchange views on regional problems including the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict.