YEREVAN, March 6 (RIA Novosti) - Relations between Armenia and Russia have strategic importance and help guarantee the country's national security, a senior Armenian military official said Monday.
"These relations reflect long-term strategic interests of both Armenia and Russia and include various spheres of cooperation ... regulated by about 160 bilateral agreements," Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sarkisyan said in a report published on the ministry's web site.
He said that military and military-technical cooperation were a priority in the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Sarkisyan added that military cooperation with Russia served two main purposes: To ensure the combat readiness of Armenia's armed forces and to maintain a balance of forces in the region.