SERGEY IVANOV: ARMENIA IS RUSSIA'S STRATEGIC PARTNER

"If you ask my personal view, I can answer since I am familiar very well with the matter - I have often visited Armenia in last six or seven years of my work at defense ministerial post. I think Armenia is our strategic partner. This is gauged not only by military and political interest", he said.

Ivanov also stressed that Russia and Armenia have been tied by common culture for centuries.

YEREVAN, April 11. /ARKA/. Armenia is Russia's strategic partner, Russian First Deputy PM Sergey Ivanov said Wednesday answering journalists' question whether Armenia is Russia's strategic partner or stronghold.

"If you ask my personal view, I can answer since I am familiar very well with the matter - I have often visited Armenia in last six or seven years of my work at defense ministerial post. I think Armenia is our strategic partner. This is gauged not only by military and political interest", he said.

Ivanov also stressed that Russia and Armenia have been tied by common culture for centuries.

Speaking about military cooperation, he said that Russia has a military base in Armenia. In his words, the troops deployed in Armenia feel themselves comfortable here and secure both Russian and Armenian interests.

Ivanov said that the military base presence here is not directed against other states, but "ensure our joint security, since we are CSTO members".

He said Armenia and Russia are partners and allies and pointed out Russian Defense Ministry's school in Armenia as convincing evidence of that.

In his words, he together with Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan visited the school today.

Ivanov expressed gratitude to Armenian leadership and to Serge Sargsyan personally for their care of the school.

He thinks the school is in very good state and Russian military and their families feel themselves comfortable here.

Ivanov also pointed out that besides military cooperation there are also economic and cultural ties and Russian language is a factor making these ties closer.

The Armenian Prime Minister, in his turn, said that the statement about "stronghold" a mere misunderstanding.

"Somebody wanted to take advantage from this and the man who said that wanted to say something good, but said the first thing that came to his mind", Sargsyan said.

Russia's State Duma Speaker Boris Grizlov said during his visit to Armenia in December 2004 that "Armenia is Russia's stronghold in South Caucasus". M.V.-0--

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