Azernews.Az

Russian air defence facilities may be stationed in Armenia within the agreement on military cooperation with Russia, Trend news agency reported referring to the Armenian Report.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the signing of a military and technical agreement, which testifies to the fact that Armenia has been and is Russia's only strategic partner in the region, director of the Military Forecasting Centre Anatoly Tsyganok told ArmInfo news agency.

He said that Armenia will be able to buy military equipment at a cheaper price. The stationing of air defence facilities in Armenia can also be discussed.

"The situation in Syria and the Iranian problem which make the Russian presence in the region necessary can be achieved through its partner Armenia," he said.

Speeding up the signing of this agreement by the Russian president was stipulated by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in which Russia is a mediator and stands for its peaceful settlement, Tsyganok said.

President Putin approved the proposal of the government on January 14 to holds talks with Armenia to sign the agreement on the development of military and technical cooperation.

The 102nd Russian military base has been deployed in the city of Gumri in Armenia since 1995. The treaty was signed for 25 years. It was extended for 49 years more (until 2044) during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Armenia in 2010.