The U.S. State Department announced yesterday that the issue of the Gyumri military base is the business of Russia and Armenia alone. State Department spokesman Mark Toner made the statement in response to a journalist's question about Washington's position on the agreement.
The agreement was signed last week between Russia and Armenia, and renews Moscow's lease on the base for 24 years, RIA Novosti reported. The agreement was undersigned by the Armenian and Russian defense ministers.
"I think this is a matter concerning two countries - Russia and Armenia," he said. "Of course, the United States has strong partnership relations with Armenia and we look forward to their continuation. Russia is part of the Minsk Group and plays a constructive role in this capacity."
Russia's 102nd Military Base has been accommodated in northern Armenia since 1995. The base operates in the framework of the CIS United Air Defense System. It is managed by the Russian troops in Transcaucasia - Russia's North-Caucasian Military District. The base is equipped with S-300 and MiG-29 anti-aircraft missile system.