Extension of Russian military base deployment in Armenia took bilateral strategic partnership to a new level to hold Azerbaijan back from resuming hostilities, a member of ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) said.

“Both sides benefit from the signed protocols, with Russia gaining a chance to increase its presence in South Caucasus and Armenia receiving security guarantees,” Gagik Melikyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

“Although not mentioned in the document, Artsakh security is also envisaged,” he noted.