© Sputnik/ Ramil Sitdikov
On June 30, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia approved the decision to join Russia’s air defense system in the Caucasus region of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
One hundred and two lawmakers voted for the ratification of the agreement, while only eight members of the parliament voted against.
According to Armenian Deputy Minister of Defense, Ara Nazaryan, this agreement will improve the defense system in the Caucasus region.
Under the agreement, the air-defense system will cover “the Caucasus region”: territories of southern Russia, Armenia and adjacent territory in the South Caucasus. It will be led by the commander of Russia’s Southern Military District.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that Armenia will have the right to use its air defense system for any purposes as the country sees fit.
“The head of the Armenian air defense forces has the direct control of combat elements. In peacetime, the parties can make their own decisions about the using of troops that they control. But they should notify each other about these decisions and actions,” Ara Nazaryan said.
We remember, Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, are members of the CSTO.
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