Russia says Armenia has no plans to end Gyumri base agreement PHOTO

Russia has received no indication from Armenia that it intends to reconsider the agreement governing the Russian military base in Gyumri, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has said.

Speaking to Russian broadcaster RTVI, Galuzin said the base remained "an important pillar" of security for Armenia and the wider South Caucasus.

"At the official level, the Armenian side has stated that Yerevan is not considering the withdrawal of the Russian military base in Gyumri," he said.

Galuzin also said some political groups and pro-Western Armenian non-governmental organisations were attempting to portray Russia's military presence in Armenia as an instrument of occupation and as evidence of hostility towards the country.

He added that the Russian base was not only a military facility but also "a point of attraction" for local residents.

According to Galuzin, this was reflected in the large number of visitors attending the base's open days, the most recent of which took place on June 12.

By Aghakazim Guliyev