Azernews.Az

YEREVAN - Russian and Armenian Presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Serzh Sargsyan on Friday signed a deal extending Moscow's lease of a military base in the South Caucasus republic.

Moscow had been set to vacate the Gyumri base in western Armenia in 2020. However, the new agreement, signed during President Medvedev’s visit to Yerevan, updates the 1995 treaty, extending Russia’s basing rights by 24 years until 2044. The Gyumri base currently houses MiG-29 fighter jets and S-300 missile systems, as well as some 5,000 troops.

The protocol, inked by the two countries’ defense ministers following Medvedev-Sargsyan talks, also commits Russia to updating Armenia's military hardware and ensuring both countries' security, together with Armenian armed forces.

At a news conference following the signing, Sargsyan praised the deal, saying it would expand the sphere of Russia's "geographic and strategic" responsibilities.

"The Russian side has made a commitment to ensure the military security of the Republic of Armenia and to cooperate in equipping our armed forces with advanced weaponry," Sargsyan maintained.

Azerbaijan, which faces a long-standing conflict with Armenia, has responded by calling on Moscow to honor previous agreements on not using arms at the Gyumri base against it. Foreign Ministry spokesman Elkhan Polukhov reminded that as early as in 2006 -- when Russia was transferring parts of its bases in Georgia to the Gyumri base, Moscow had pledged it would not use the relocated arms and equipment against Azerbaijan.

The leader of the opposition Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP), Sardar Jalaloglu, said extending the Russian-Armenian agreement puts an end to Armenia’s independence and places it under Russia’s clout for years to come. He continued: "Some threats are emerging for Azerbaijan as well. To neutralize them, Baku should take certain steps and conclude an agreement of the same level with another country, such as Turkey."

Jalaloglu said that under the terms of the defense pact, Russia could come to Armenia’s defense if Yerevan faces a threat. Nonetheless, since Nagorno Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region under Armenian occupation, is part of Azerbaijan, Moscow’s taking Yerevan’s side in military operations would be considered contrary to international law.

Jalaloglu also noted that the defense pact with Armenia also casts a shadow on Russia’s efforts as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group brokering Karabakh conflict settlement and shows its pro-Armenian stance.

Mubariz Gurbanly, deputy executive secretary of the ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party (YAP), also says that the signing of such a defense agreement by Russia, a key mediator in Karabakh talks, indicates that Moscow does not play an impartial role but acts as a party in the peace process.

"This fact openly shows Russia’s being on Armenia’s side. From the viewpoint of regional security, Armenia’s armament is extremely scary.

"On the other hand, the Caucasus is a volatile region. Russia’s taking this step in these conditions could be reciprocated by adequate steps from the West. Overall, this will further increase tensions in the region. Therefore, Russia’s unilaterally arming Armenia and signing such an agreement is, in fact, a policy of sweetening the aggressor."

20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory, including Nagorno Karabakh and seven adjacent districts, has been under Armenian occupation since the two South Caucasus republics signed a precarious cease-fire in 1994 following a lengthy war. Peace talks have been largely fruitless so far but are still ongoing. Russia, along with France and the United States, is a member of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group.

Vafa Guluzada, an Azerbaijani former state adviser and political analyst, says that by sealing the defense pact Russia is trying to bolster "its imperial interests" in the region.

"Under this agreement Russia will station large weapons in Armenia and increase its military power to protect its interests in the region. Armenia and Russia are contemplating today the occupation of Azerbaijan’s remaining territories. To counter this, Azerbaijan has to find an ally for itself."

Rasim Musabayov, another Azerbaijani analyst, termed the extension of the defense agreement as "Russia’s long-term oversight of Armenia". This step, he continued, leaves Moscow in control of the South Caucasus republic for another 35 years.

"In the context of Azerbaijan we can say that the Russians transferred weaponry to the Armenians from that base in the past as well. And now they intend to continue doing it. But today Russia is not able to deliver arms to Armenia from anywhere. Georgia shut the border in 2008. Furthermore, neither Azerbaijan nor Turkey are allowing weapons to cross their territories. In my view, this agreement has no real impact on Azerbaijan."

The new deal appears to cement Russia's already-strong presence in Armenia, analysts say. Yerevan has been Moscow's only reliable ally in the South Caucasus, a region where Georgia and Azerbaijan have proved to pursue independent policies.

Armenian officials were quick to link the deal to the Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijan, which has spent billions on dollars on building up its military, has never ruled out military action to liberate its land from Armenian occupation.

Armenian officials say the new Russian deal -- with its guarantee of Armenian security -- would prevent a resumption of hostilities. It is unclear, however, that the pledge from Moscow would extend to Nagorno Karabakh, which is located within Azerbaijan's borders.

Russia has sought to downplay the significance of the new defense pact. Speaking earlier this week on Armenian television, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said no change should be expected in the functions of the Gyumri base.

Lavrov also did not deny reports that Moscow has sold S-300 missile defense systems to Azerbaijan, saying only that Russia never supplied arms to regions "where such supplies may destabilize the situation."

It is not clear what military upgrades Moscow will provide for Armenia.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said in Yerevan Friday that his country had no immediate plans to lease additional S-300 systems to Armenia.

Opposition politicians in Armenia have warned that Russia's rumored arms sales to Azerbaijan will disturb the region's delicate balance of military power and leave Armenia at a distinct disadvantage if the Nagorno Karabakh conflict escalates into a new war.

Other observers have suggested the move is meant to solidify Russia's military foothold in the region as a warning to larger neighbors like Iran and Turkey. Gyumri, Armenia's second-largest city, is just 20 kilometers from the Turkish border.