Deal on Russian military presence in Armenia

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian have signed a deal extending Moscow's lease of a military base by 24 years. RFE/RL reports that the deal commits Russia to updating Armenia's military hardware and ensuring both countries' security, together with Armenian armed forces. Deal on Russian military presence in Armenia At a news conference following the August 20 signing in Yerevan, Sarkisian praised the deal, which he said would expand the sphere of Russia's "geographic and strategic" responsibilities. "The Russian side has made a commitment to ensure the military security of the Republic of Armenia and to cooperate in equipping our armed forces with advanced weaponry," Sarkisian said. The new deal, updating a 1995 treaty, appears to cement Russia's already-strong presence in Armenia. Yerevan has been Moscow's only reliable ally in the South Caucasus, a region where Georgia and Azerbaijan have proved more irascible, independent-minded neighbors. Armenian officials have been quick to tie the deal to their long-standing dispute with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian-majority enclave at the center of a six-year war between the two countries that ended with an uneasy cease-fire in 1994. Azerbaijan, which has used its massive energy wealth to build up its military strength, has frequently suggested it is preparing to resolve the outstanding dispute by force. Armenian officials say the new Russian deal -- with its guarantee of Armenian security - would prevent such an outcome. It is unclear, however, that the pledge from Moscow would extend to Nagorno-Karabakh, which is located within Azerbaijan's borders.

Deal on Russian military presence in Armenia

At a news conference following the August 20 signing in Yerevan, Sarkisian praised the deal, which he said would expand the sphere of Russia's "geographic and strategic" responsibilities.

"The Russian side has made a commitment to ensure the military security of the Republic of Armenia and to cooperate in equipping our armed forces with advanced weaponry," Sarkisian said.

The new deal, updating a 1995 treaty, appears to cement Russia's already-strong presence in Armenia. Yerevan has been Moscow's only reliable ally in the South Caucasus, a region where Georgia and Azerbaijan have proved more irascible, independent-minded neighbors.

Armenian officials have been quick to tie the deal to their long-standing dispute with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian-majority enclave at the center of a six-year war between the two countries that ended with an uneasy cease-fire in 1994.

Azerbaijan, which has used its massive energy wealth to build up its military strength, has frequently suggested it is preparing to resolve the outstanding dispute by force.

Armenian officials say the new Russian deal -- with its guarantee of Armenian security - would prevent such an outcome. It is unclear, however, that the pledge from Moscow would extend to Nagorno-Karabakh, which is located within Azerbaijan's borders.