Russia and Armenia will continue to work to maintain stability in the Caucasus, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday.
Medvedev, on an official visit to Armenia, lauded Yerevan's commitment to the work of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and CIS Anti-Terrorist Center.
"We will use the potential of these structures to strengthen peace and stability across the entire territory of the Caucasus," Medvedev said in the north Armenian city of Gyumri near the Turkish border.
"This is essential for all of the countries in the region. It is essential for Russia," he said at an opening ceremony of the Hill of Honor memorial, which commemorates Russian soldiers who died fighting the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said Yerevan views friendly ties between Russia and Armenia as a key component in maintaining stability in the Caucasus.
"This enables us to respond adequately to many of the complex challenges of the modern world. It is with this in mind that we signed a protocol on the extension of the Russian military base," Sargsyan said.
The two countries signed a deal on Friday extending the term of a 1995 bilateral treaty on the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri from 25 to 49 years.
The base is part of the CIS integrated air defense system. It is under the command of Russia's North Caucasus Military District.
With some 5,000 personnel, it is armed with S-300 air defense systems and MiG-29 fighters.
GYUMRI (Armenia), August 20 (RIA Novosti)
