Azernews.Az

MOSCOW – The agreement on Russia’s operating a military base in Armenia will be amended, according to an agreement to be signed by Moscow and Yerevan, Russian Interfax news agency reported.

Along with protecting Russian interests, the base in Gumri is aimed at joining effort with Armenia’s armed forces to ensure the country’s security. Russia is expected to supply the Armenian military with up-to-date weapons and military machinery to accomplish the goal.

The draft protocol to be signed by the two countries stipulates that the agreement will remain in force for 49 years. Moreover, if neither side notifies the other about the intended termination of the contract at least six months before its expiry, the contract will be extended for five more years.

Azerbaijan, which faces a long-standing conflict with Armenia over Upper (Nagorno) Karabakh, hopes the Moscow-Yerevan agreement is not aimed against it. Araz Azimov, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister and the President’s negotiator on Karabakh settlement issues, has told the Baku-based ANS TV channel that the planned changes to the agreement on the Gumri base was an internal affair of Russia and Armenia. Azimov said Moscow has repeatedly assured Azerbaijan that its military cooperation with Armenia is not aimed against Azerbaijan and that the latter has always believed that. Nonetheless, there are grounds for concern, the deputy minister said.

"This amendment could cause strengthening of Armenia’s security in the region and thus pose a threat of bolstering its non-constructivism."

The base at Gumri possesses up to 100 tanks, about 300 armored vehicles, artillery systems and various types of missile launchers. 4,000 personnel are based at the facility.