Yerevan does not realize risks of expanding French military presence in region - Zakharova
YEREVAN, March 13. /ARKA/. Armenian authorities do not comprehend the risks from the expansion of France's military presence in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova argued today.
Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan reiterated Tuesday that Armenia will withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization if the Russian-led military alliance does not address its security problems.
Pashinyan said the CSTO should first clarify its "zone of responsibility" in Armenia and pledge to defend it from foreign aggression.
"If the CSTO answers these questions and its answer meets our expectations, it will mean that the problems between Armenia and the CSTO have been solved," Pashinyan told a news conference. "If not, Armenia will leave the CSTO. When? I can't say."
According to Zakharova, the choice of external partners, parameters for ensuring national security is the sovereign right of any country, including Armenia, and 'we reaffirm it once again.' 'It just seems that Yerevan, turning towards France and increasing military cooperation with it, simply does not realize either the true intentions of French patrons or the risks of expanding their military presence in the region," she said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
According to Zakharova, it is naive to believe that France is willing or able to ensure Armenia's security.
"If France had such capabilities, it would have applied them in those African countries in which it had contractual obligations. France's missions in these countries failed, and not because of s political inconsistency, but because France abandoned its allies and partners," Zakharova claimed.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said earlier that Paris will supply short- and medium-range anti-aircraft missiles to Armenia if necessary. According to him, France has already delivered night vision devices to Armenia.
The shipment of Bastion armored vehicles is also being prepared. At the end of February this year, it was also announced that a batch of French defense-type armaments would be delivered to Armenia. -0-
