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Russia does not make arms deliveries to Armenia: Russian FM

Politics Materials 12 March 2009 13:29 (UTC +04:00)
Russia does not make arms deliveries to Armenia: Russian FM

Azerbaijan, Baku, March 12 / Trend , E.Rustamov/

Russia has not made any destabilizing arms deliveries to Armenia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists in Baku on March 12.

Media outlets reported an alleged Russian arms delivery to Armenia from the Gumri Military Base No. 102 in early January. The approximate value of the shipment totaled $800 million.

Russia's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasili Istratov was invited to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry to clarify the situation. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry denied the assertions. Baku is not satisfied with Moscow's reply. During a telephone conversation between the countries' foreign ministers, they decided to continue consultations on the issue.

Russia is cooperating with many countries militarily without violating international obligations and legislation, Lavrov said.

"As to the information in the Azerbaijani and Russian media, it is false," the minister 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 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.

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