Russia MFA: 102nd military base is the only guarantee of Armenia’s sovereignty 

The presence of the Russian 102nd military base in Armenia is the only real guarantee of the republic’s sovereignty, the Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS, commenting on the report “Deepening EU-Armenia relations: More Europe in Armenia; More Armenia in Europe” prepared by the Friends of Armenia network led by former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

“The security proposals defy common sense altogether. The presence of the Russian 102nd military base and Russian border guards is the only real guarantee of Armenia’s sovereignty. Thinking that their withdrawal will somehow strengthen the republic’s military potential is dangerous demagoguery. By forcing to reconsider the existing security system today, the West offers nothing specific in return,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.