Armenian parliament ratifies protocol on Russian base

The Armenian parliament has given 80 votes for, and one against ratification of the protocol on the prolongation of the terms of presence of the Russian military base in Armenia, News Armenia reports.

Parliament members were discussing the ratification of the amendments to the bilateral agreement on the Russian military base in Gyumri of 1995.

Armenian Deputy Defense Minister Ara Nazaryan said that the protocol was signed on August 20, 2010, within the framework of the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Yerevan.

The deal signed in 1995 was for 25 years. The new document prolongs it by 49 years, starting in 1997 and staying in force until 2046.

Gyumri is in the northern part of Armenia. The 102nd Russian base in Gyumri is operating as part of the unified CIS anti-missile system. The base is controlled by the North Caucasus Military District. It has an S-300 missile complex and MiG-29 fighters. There are 5,000 servicemen in the base.

Nazaryan said that the amendments require the document to be automatically prolonged once in every five years. Cancelling the document requires warning the other side 6 months ahead of expiration of the five-year period.

Nazaryan said that the base protects Armenia and its border. The new document allows Russian servicemen to operate throughout the whole country. Parliament members approve the document, saying that it suits Armenian interests and contributes to peace and security in the region.