The Russian government has approved and presented a ratification of the protocol on prolongation of presence of the Russian military base in Gyumri to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, RIA Novosti cites a the bank of government acts on Tusday as saying.
The protocol was signed in Yerevan in August 2010. The agreement was signed in 1995 and had 25-year terms. The new document extends the old one by 49 years, starting from 1995.
The Russian 102nd military base has been in Gyumri since 1995. It is part of the united anti-missile system of the CIS. The base is controlled by the Russian North Caucasus Military District.
The base has S-300 missile complexes and MiG-29 fighters. Some 5,000 servicemen are in the base.
According to the agreement, the document is automatically prolonged every five years. Terminating the deal requires informing one of the sides within at least 6 months before the five-year term expires.
The base protects Russian interests and contributes to Armenian security. Russia provides Armenia with modern and compatible military arms and equipment.
Using the Russian armed formations will require mutual agreements.
