Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 25 / Trend T.Hajiyev /
Armenia handed over its independence to Russia last week by signing an agreement renewing Moscow's lease on a military base in Gumri for 24 years, Political Innovation and Technology Center head Mubariz Ahmadoglu told Trend today.
"Armenia has lost its independence," he said. "Armenia has become a part of Russia from an economic, political and legal point of view. Thus, the foundation for dual power has now been laid. Russia will do everything to ensure that Armenia's defense minister is pro-Russian and looks out for Russia's interests. One could say that Russia has privatized Armenia."
Russia and Armenia signed a protocol last week amending the 1995 bilateral agreement on the Gumri base, extending Moscow's lease by 24 years, RIA Novosti reported. The document was undersigned by the Armenian and Russian defense ministers.
He said the agreement will throw Armenia into further domestic turmoil and new conflicts.
Armenia is a state engaged in conflicts, Ahmadoglu said. Armenians earn money on conflicts. The country is preparing for a new conflict. Of course, they want to ensure their safety before starting the conflict. Thus, they signed this agreement, he said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the United States - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.
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