Russia Expands Cooperation with Azerbaijan
MOSCOW, Russia (A.W.)—The Defense Ministers of Russia and Armenia, Sergey Shoygu and Vigen Sargsyan, signed an agreement establishing joint troops between the two countries, reported the Russian news agency TASS.
Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu (R) meets with his Armenian counterpart Vigen Sargsyan in Moscow (Photo: Armenian Defense Ministry)
No public statement was made following the meeting between the two sides. The deal was approved by President Putin earlier this month.
The Armenian Defense Minister stated that the combined troops will be deployed at the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri. “The main task of the United Group of Troops is to identify preparation of military aggression against Armenia and Russia in a timely manner and to repel it jointly with the armed forces of Armenia and Russia,” said Sargsyan.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani lawmakers have condemned the Russian-Armenian agreement, stating that it shows proof of Russian support for Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh/NKR) conflict.
Prior to meeting with his Sarksyan, Russian Defense Minister Shoygu also met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Zakir Hasanov earlier on Nov. 30 to discuss further cooperation between their two countries.
According to TASS, the two discussed preparing a plan for a military cooperation, which would apply to staff negotiations, military contracts, and military education. This cooperation would also include matters such as training Azerbaijani servicemen in Russian educational institutions and ensuring the overall security of the Caspian Sea.
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: Russia, Armenia Agree to Joint Military Force
