“You cannot govern a country with romanticism”
"I find Russia's decision to extend its lease on a military base in Armenia until 2044 advantageous to our country," Head of the Republican Party of Armenia parliamentary faction Galust Sahakyan told A1+.
In reply to A1+'s remark that in 1995 during the discussion of the deal in the Armenian parliament the party voted against the agreement, Mr. Sahakyan said, "Yes, we were against the agreement then. But in a year or two, in the result of in-depth analysis we realized that one cannot govern a country with romanticism and one needs many friends. To strengthen your position overseas you need a military base."
According to the head of the Republican faction, the agreement ensures security and paves a way for Armenia's military development.
"Given Russia's investment policy in Armenia's nuclear power station, our country will become a mighty state and have levers against its neighbours," notes Mr. Sahakyan who hopes that one day Armenia will deploy bases in other states.
Galust Sahakyan shares Levon Ter-Petrosyan's opinion that Russia plays a decisive role in South Caucasus.
"Turkey and Russia have carried a centuries-old war.
Naturally, you can find no Armenian who would give preference to Turks if he had to choose between Russians and Turks," he conculded.
