NATO does not object to the presence of a Russian military base in Armenia, the alliance's special representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia said on Wednesday.
"Armenia is a CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization] member and Russia's strategic partner," Robert Simmons told journalists in Yerevan. "The presence of the Russian base on Armenia's territory accounts for this factor."
Armenia has always expressed a readiness to develop cooperation with NATO, Simmons said.
"So no imbalance is observed; moreover, NATO is on good terms with Russia as well," he added.
Russia and Armenia signed a deal in August extending the term of a 1995 bilateral treaty on the Russian 102nd Military Base at Gyumri, northwestern Armenia, from 25 to 49 years.
The base, which is under the command of Russia's North Caucasus Military District, is part of the CIS integrated air defense system.
YEREVAN, September 15 (RIA Novosti)
