November 10, 2005 - 15:22 AMT
Regional Stability Only Goal of Stationing Russian Base in Armenia
"40 units of wheel equipment transferred from the Russian military base in Akhalkalaki (Georgia) to the Russian base in Gyumri (Armenia) cannot cause destabilization in Armenian-Azeri relations," Deputy Head of the Press Service of the Defense Ministry of RussiaNikolay Baranov stated at a news conference in Yerevan. Press Secretary of the Russian base stationed in Armenia Karen Khachatryan said the matter concerns only military equipment, while "Russian troops are already on the territory of Russia." According to an agreement, signed by the Governments of Armenia and Russia March 16, 1995, the stationing of the Russian military base on territory of Armenia is conditioned by a sole goal - providing for regional stability, he also reminded.

As for the contract military service of Armenian citizens on territory of Russia, it was noted that only two out of 12 people, who had chances of serving in the Russian army, have been granted that opportunity and now serve in the Moscow district. It should be noted that military equipment and servicemen were demonstrated in Yerevan on the occasion of N. Baranov's arrival to Armenia, reported IA Regnum.