RE-EQUIPMENT OF RUSSIAN ARMY TO TELL ON ITS CST PARTNERS, ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER CONSIDERS

The re-equipment of the Russian army will without fail tell on its partners on the Collective Security Treaty, Armenian defense minister, secretary of the Security Council under the Armenian President Serge Sargsian told “Regnum” agency. In support to his words he noted that already two years ago CST participants signed an agreement on preferential acquisition of arms. In S. Sargsian’s words, although the process in Russia itself is not regulated yet, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in the course of his latest meeting with CIS defense ministers that the provisions will take effect in January 2004. “It means that Armenia, along with other CST members will be entitled to buy arms, military equipment and ammunition from Russia on the same terms as the Russian army. Thus, if the Armenian party has got the means, it will also have contemporary arms,” the minister said. At that he emphasized that Azerbaijan does not have either a moral or juridical right to take umbrage at Russia for arm supplies to Armenia on preferential terms. “Here everything is extremely clear: if you wish – you are welcome, join the CST and benefit from the same advantages,” he said.