ArmInfo. The military-technical cooperation between Armenia and Russia is an allied interaction. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stated this in an interview with Interfax, clarifying whether Yerevan sees some ambiguity in connection with the fact that Russia is actively cooperating in military technical field with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, especially against the background of the recent aggravation of the Armenian Azerbaijani relations.
"Armenia and Russia are allies. Our relations have a fairly wide scope. Our interview is limited within its framework to outline the entire range of issues of Armenian-Russian interaction, which concerns all areas of life, including interaction in security issues. Military-technical cooperation between Armenia and Russia is an allied interaction. So there can be no questions or restrictions here, "the Armenian minister said.
Clarifying whether military cooperation really began to grow after the July aggravation, Mnatsakanyan stated that interaction in the military-technical field is based on mutual security interests and is carried out on the basis of existing agreements, understandings and work plans between Russia and Armenia.
"Russia does not upset the balance in the region. Armenia is a responsible participant in regional security. And our military-technical cooperation is not directed in any way against third countries," he added.
When asked whether Yerevan is embarrassed by the fact that Russia cooperates in the military-technical field with Azerbaijan, Mnatsakanyan, in particular, said: "The military-technical cooperation between Armenia and Russia has its own logic of interaction, it is built on solid allied foundations. As for Azerbaijan, and cooperation in this sector, I note that Azerbaijan is building up its military potential in every possible way, trying to convince its own population and the world community that it has the potential to resolve the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh by military means. And this was presented that Azerbaijan is allegedly making a "concession" to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, without starting hostilities, instead counting on "unilateral concessions" of the Armenian parties in the negotiation process. The Azerbaijani logic of building up its military potential is aimed at a military solution to the conflict, which poses a threat to the security of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh."
At the same time, he added that Yerevan openly and frankly discusses with the Russian side all issues, including this one, since relations of allies have developed between the countries.
Meanwhile, when asked whether Armenia plans to apply for a new arms loan to Russia, Mnatsakanyan said that the two countries have appropriate formats and platforms for discussing issues of military-technical cooperation between Armenia and Russia, where all issues of interaction are resolved. At the same time, he did not go into details, stating that, in general, this is an area that has its own established platform.
Clarifying whether Armenia is going to buy new combat aircraft, helicopters, Mnatsakanyan, in particular, said: "We are going to do everything in order to consistently strengthen the defense capability of our country. I have already told you that Armenia and Russia are allies. "Speaking about Yerevan's interest in maintaining the Russian military base in Gyumri, the Armenian minister stressed that Armenia is not a threat to anyone in the region. "Armenia and Russia have common security interests, and it is on the basis of these mutual interests that we pursue a common goal of ensuring security. The military base also allows us to achieve this goal," he concluded.