Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Protocol on extension of the Russian military base deployment term in Armenia is signed for 49 years and nothing else. “It does not change the Russian military base’s function in Armenia, the number of its servicemen and the amount of arms available there,” the Minister said.

According to him, there are not any changes that the Protocol on military base may introduce to the balance of forces in the region. Besides, the extension of current functions and parameters of the Russian military base for 49 years does not violate any agreements.

“The basic goal of the Russian military base is to protect Russia’s interests, which, of course, include preservation of stability in South Caucasus, Caspian region. This was the initial goal set before the Russian military base when the relevant agreement was signed. And this goal has not changed anyhow,” concluded Sergey Lavrov, Trend News reported.