Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia has not raised the issue of Russia's 102nd military base stationed in the country, APA reports, citing Armenian media.
Speaking at a briefing for journalists in parliament, Pashinyan said the Russian side had initiated discussions on the issue and Armenia was formulating its position within the framework of those discussions.
"I said this in parliament yesterday, and I told you as well: we have never raised the issue of the Russian military base operating in Armenia. Russia raised this issue, and we are expressing our position in the context of this discussion," Pashinyan said.
He stated that the events of September 2022 had demonstrated that the 102nd military base was not of vital importance to Armenia's security.
"The 102nd military base and the events of September 2022 showed that this base is not of vital importance to Armenia's security. Have they now raised this issue for discussion? Very well, we respect that," Pashinyan noted.
The Prime Minister emphasized that no Armenian official had formally raised the issue with representatives of the Russian side.
"I repeat once again: none of our officials has raised such an issue with a Russian official, nor have we discussed it publicly," he added.
Pashinyan also said that Armenia does not need the military base.
"Russia is our friend. If they want to withdraw it, let them withdraw it, even tomorrow. If they want to stay, we are ready to discuss the conditions for the base to remain in the Republic of Armenia," he said.
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