MOSCOW. March 31 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Defense Ministry has dismissed several media allegations about Russia's plans to set up military bases in a number of Latin American countries.
"We have no plans for the permanent presence of Russian Navy and Air Force armed units in Latin America. There is no need for that," Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told reporters.
"In those cases where we talk about increasing the presence of the Russian Navy in Latin America, we mean primarily making it easier for our warships to enter seaports in the region," he said.
The significant remoteness of these countries from Russian shores make the Russian Navy interested in replenishing its water and food supplies and organizing rest for its sailors, and in certain cases Russia must be sure of a possibility for small and medium repair of its ships, the deputy defense minister said.
"For these purposes, we are indeed in talks with our Nicaraguan and Venezuelan and Cuban partners over prospects for signing agreements concerning maintenance centers for the Russian Navy ships on their territories," the deputy defense minister said.
Similar services may be required for our Long Range Aviation aircraft, he said.
"But, of course, it is far from being the same as military bases," Antonov said.
The agreements on the opening of such centers will help develop the port and airfield infrastructure, create jobs for locals, and finally, contribute to the economic growth of our partner states, he said.
"And no one raises questions that in so doing a hosting state undermines its sovereignty," he said.
"Russia's military and military-technical cooperation with the countries in this region is aimed primarily at maintaining stability and international security. It does not aim to undermine someone's interests. In this regard, we rely on our partners' voluntary and conscious agreement to develop long-term relations," the deputy minister added.