Galuzin: Yerevan says it is not considering closing the Russian  military base in Gyumri

ArmInfo.  Armenia has officially stated at the state level that Yerevan is not considering the issue of closing the Russian military base in Gyumri. This was  announced by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin in an  interview with RTVI in response to a question on the subject. He  noted that there have been no signals from the Armenian side about  the need to withdraw the Russian military base from Armenia.

"Moreover, it has been officially stated by the Armenian side that  Yerevan is not considering the issue of closing the Russian military  base in Gyumri. We are convinced that this base is a cornerstone for  ensuring the security of both Armenia and the South Caucasus as a  whole. Unfortunately, we observe that certain political forces and  pro-Western Armenian NGOs are attempting to vilify Russia's military  presence in Armenia, portraying it as an instrument of occupation or  as evidence of a lack of transparency and unfriendliness toward  Armenia," he added. 

However, the diplomat believes these attempts are futile. According  to him, such efforts are undermined by the local population's  friendly attitude toward the Russian base, which serves not only as a  military facility but also as a hub of interest for local residents.

"This is evidenced by the large number of participants who visit our  base during open days, the most recent of which took place on June  12," Galuzin said.  When asked whether Armenia could join the EU  while hosting a Russian base, the diplomat suggested directing that  question to official Yerevan.  "You know, in this case, it is a  matter for the Armenian side to discuss—what it can and cannot do if  it intends to join the European Union. We proceed from the fact that  there is an existing, active agreement, and we are committed to  fulfilling our obligations under it. We expect the same from the  Armenian side," he concluded.

Note, the Russian military base is stationed in Armenia under an  interstate treaty signed in 1995. In 2010, the agreement was amended  to extend the term of its presence on Armenian territory from the  original 25 years to 49 years, lasting until 2044.