Presence of Russia's 102nd military base in Armenia is the only real guarantee of Republic's sovereignty: Russia's Foreign Ministry

Commenting on the provisions of a report by the Friends of Armenia Network, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told RIA Novosti that the presence of the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri and of the Russian border guards in Armenia is the only real guarantee of Armenia's sovereignty.

 

Commenting on the aforesaid report entitled "Deepening EU-Armenia relations: More Europe in Armenia; More Armenia in Europe," the Russian MFA told RIA Novosti that "the security proposals are completely contrary to common sense".

 

"The presence of the 102nd Russian Military Base and Russian border guards is the only real guarantee of Armenia's sovereignty. The idea that their withdrawal will somehow strengthen the military potential of the [Armenian] republic is a dangerous demagoguery," said the Russian MFA. "Forcing a review of the existing security system today, the West offers nothing concrete in return."

 

Besides, according to the Foreign Ministry, the establishment of a visa-free regime with the European Union will allegedly have a negative impact on Armenia's security and economy.