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Servicemen from Russian military base take part in Yerevan parade

Armenian Defense Minister Seiran Oganyan greeted the Russian servicmen in Russian as the defense minister toured the troops lined up for the parade

YEREVAN, September 21 (Itar-Tass) — A military unit from a Russian military base stationed in Armenia took part in a big military parade in Yerevan on Wednesday devoted to the 20th anniversary of Armenian independence.

The parade was held in the center of Yerevan in the presence of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, other members of the Armenian leadership and Armenian Catholicos Garegin II. Prominent public representatives, heads of foreign diplomatic missions, representatives from the Armenian Diaspora abroad, Russian presidential envoy for international cooperation in culture Mikhail Shvydkoi and Vice- Chairman of the European parliament Libor Roucek were among the guests of the Yerevan parade.

Armenian Defense Minister Seiran Oganyan greeted the Russian servicmen in Russian as the defense minister toured the troops lined up for the parade. "This military formation is part of a joint group of troops of the armed forces of Armenia and Russia who side by side with the Armenian servicemen ensure security of Armenia," a commentator announced through loud speakers. "Membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a strategic alliance with Russia, defense and military cooperation with a number of states and international organizations promote development and modernization of the Armenian armed forces,” the commentator said.

The troops which took part in the parade included servicemen from Vazgen Sarkisyan Military Institute, Marshal Khudyakov Military-Aviation Institute, all the five corps of the Armenian army, servicemen of a military sports school, a peacekeeping brigade of the Armenian Armed Forces, military police, a company of guards of honor and other servicemen, including army priests. Most of the military hardware displayed at the parade was of Russian production, observers confirmed.