Deputy Defense Minister downplays speculation about Russian troops participation in independence parade
22.09.2011,
21:09
A deputy Armenian defense minister David Tonoyan downplayed today speculations about the participation of Russian troops from еру Russian military base in Gyumri in a military parade in Yerevan, dedicated to its 20th independence anniversary.
YEREVAN, September 22. / ARKA /. A deputy Armenian defense minister David Tonoyan downplayed today speculations about the participation of Russian troops from еру Russian military base in Gyumri in a military parade in Yerevan, dedicated to its 20th independence anniversary.
In a statement the deputy minister said troops from the Russian military base headquartered in the country’s second city of Gyumri, took part in the military parade иусфгыу Russia and Armenia are strategic allies and that Russia shows huge assistance in ensuring Armenia’s national security and independence.
He was quoted as saying that using the word "foreign country" in regard to Russia not only runs counter to realities in Armenian-Russian relations, but it sounds strange to all those who for years have witnessed the success of joint military programs between Russia and Armenia.
He also said that participation of foreign military units in parades of other countries is an accepted international practice. He said an Armenian platoon travelled some time ago to Italy to take part in a parade, dedicated to its national holiday.
The September 21 parade was the biggest display of Armenia’s military power in еру дфые five years with thousands of troops as well as battle tanks, artillery systems, warplanes and other military hardware parading through Yerevan’s major Republic Square. -0-
In a statement the deputy minister said troops from the Russian military base headquartered in the country’s second city of Gyumri, took part in the military parade иусфгыу Russia and Armenia are strategic allies and that Russia shows huge assistance in ensuring Armenia’s national security and independence.
He was quoted as saying that using the word "foreign country" in regard to Russia not only runs counter to realities in Armenian-Russian relations, but it sounds strange to all those who for years have witnessed the success of joint military programs between Russia and Armenia.
He also said that participation of foreign military units in parades of other countries is an accepted international practice. He said an Armenian platoon travelled some time ago to Italy to take part in a parade, dedicated to its national holiday.
The September 21 parade was the biggest display of Armenia’s military power in еру дфые five years with thousands of troops as well as battle tanks, artillery systems, warplanes and other military hardware parading through Yerevan’s major Republic Square. -0-
