ARMENIA, RUSSIA STRATEGIC PARTNERS – DEFENSE MINISTER
15:59 18.09.13
At his meeting with teachers and students of Yerevan State University,
Armenia’s Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan addressed Armenia’s
decision to join the Customs Union.
He noted that Armenia and Russia are strategic partners, and “our
strategic ally is assisting us by supplying precision weapons.”
“Any strategic decision implies security problems. With the regional
conflicts, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, considered the
decision was made,” Ohanyan said.
“Some of the nations we are cooperating with think that we [Armenia]
are unwilling to cooperate with Azerbaijan,” he said.
As regards the withdrawal of snipers from the borderline, Minister
Ohanyan said: “We are ready to withdraw our snipers. We see it is
a normal step. On the other hand, we do not have any problems with
retaliation.”
“The year 2011 was the most successful for our armed forces. Last
year we preserved the result, and we have reduced incidents by 30%
this year,” the minister said. He pointed out the development of
air defense.
Asked about emigration from Armenia, Ohanyan said that it affects
Armenia’s army. “Emigration is a problem for all of us. And we want
the government-taken measures to produce results.”
Armenian News – Tert.am