Sergei Shoigu: Armenia is Russia’s ally and a key partner in ensuring security in the Transcaucasia, and we are extremely interested in maintaining stability in this region

The Russian Defence Minister held talks with Armenian Defence Minister Arshak Karapetyan in Moscow.
The Russian Ministry of Defence is ready to assist in the modernization and reform of the Armenian Armed Forces, Russian Defence Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said as he welcomed Arshak Karapetyan to Moscow in the rank of Armenian Defence Minister today, according to the Department of Media Affairs and Information of Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.
“We attach great importance to the development of our military cooperation both bilaterally and within the CSTO. At the same time, we are ready to continue assisting in the implementation of the Armenian Armed Forces reform programme. This is not an easy task, but I believe that with your experience, it will be done” stressed Sergei Shoigu.
The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation noted that Armenia hosts a well-equipped 102nd Russian military base that guarantees security. “Armenia is Russia’s ally and a key partner in ensuring security in the Transcaucasia, and we are extremely interested in maintaining stability in this region,” the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation added.
Sergei Shoigu congratulated Arshak Karapetyan on his appointment, noting that it took place “at a difficult time of challenging reforms of the country’s defences.” The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation stressed the readiness to render every support to the implementation of the Armenian Army’s reforms within the set time period.
In his turn, Arshak Karapetyan thanked Sergei Shoigu for the readiness to assist in restoring the combat readiness of the Armenian Armed Forces, in equipping and training of the troops. He particularly stressed that his first foreign visit in the rank of defence minister was to Russia, Armenia’s strategic ally. “Russia is the only country which provides a real tangible security product for the Armenian people, and today is dealing with security issues not only in Nagorno-Karabakh, but also directly on the borders of Armenia. We are ready for very close and effective cooperation,” Arshak Karapetyan said.
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