Russia, Armenia to outline further defense coop in February
By Sabina Idayatova
Armenia and Russia are expected to determine in February the program of their cooperation in the near future, which is beyond the scope of 2013 at least for five years, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said after a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Seyran Ohanyan in Yerevan on Tuesday, Novosti (News) Armenia news agency reported.
"We discussed issues of military-technical cooperation and further development of our strategic partnership," Shoigu told a press conference.
Shoigu said it is not the first meeting between the two ministers, as the previous two meetings were held at the end of 2012.
"We meet dynamically and not only exchange views, but also make
decisions," he said.
According to Shoigu, the issues discussed last year were resolved
as early as this January.
Shoigu also said issues of international and regional security were discussed in detail with the Armenian minister.
"A number of additional decisions have been made as well," he said.
Further, Shoigu said executives of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) -- a Russia-led security group -- are working in Armenia these days, "in the same frames, in the same manner and, perhaps, in a wider format."
Shoigu also said that later in the day documents would be signed on the formation of "additional elements contributing to security in the region, as well as those pertaining to the work of the CSTO as a whole".
After the bilateral meeting Ohanyan said the sides had discussed
a range of issues associated with the deployment of the Russian
military base in Armenia.
Ohanyan said further that the sides discussed issues of
international and regional security and coordinated their positions
on a number of issues on the agenda of military cooperation.
A day earlier Shoigu met with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.
The parties stressed the importance of strengthening the
Armenian-Russian strategic relations and deepening of military
cooperation between the two countries.
Shoigu is also scheduled to visit the 102d Russian military base in
Gyumri, Armenia later on Tuesday.