January 27, 2009 - 18:19 AMT
Vasily Istratov labels "document on Russian arms delivery to Armenia" fake
Russian Ambassador to Armenia labeled the documents on Russian arms delivery to Armenia published by Azeri media as fake.

"Such document doesn't exist. There was no delivery of arms," Vasily Istratov said.

He voiced regret that the negative experience of arms delivery to Armenia in 1996 is dominating over today's Russian-Azerbaijani relations.

"I am hopeful that the issue will be finally settled during the impending meetings between the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs," the Ambassador said.

He also regretted that despite the official note sent by the Russian MFA, the Azeri media and some members of Milli Mejlis are still discussing the issue.

Commenting to Azeri journalists, Ambassador Istratov said, "It doesn't mean that the Russian Federation has never supplied Armenia with arms. Armenia and Russia are strategic allies. Nevertheless, the document circulated by the Azeri media is false," Novosti Azerbaijan reports.