RIA NOVOSTY, NOVOSTY ARMENIA SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

YEREVAN, December 9. /ARKA/. The Russian Agency of International Information “RIA Novosty” and the Agency of International Information “Novosty-Armenia” have signed a cooperation agreement. Following the ceremony, Alexander Babinsky, Deputy Director General, “RIA Novosty”, said that the project is of essential importance, being aimed at expanding the information exchange on the largest possible scale. He pointed out that the agreement has been signed on the occasion of closing of the Year of Russia in Armenia. The agreement is a kind of link between the Year of Russia in Armenia and a Year of Armenia in Russia scheduled for 2006.

“Of paramount importance for us is that cooperation and information exchange between Russia and Armenia not be restricted to `years’, but be constant,” Babinsky said. He pointed out the importance of providing Armenian audience with diverse and brief information on developments in Russia, as well as with comprehensive information on developments in Armenia. “I hope that exchange of information will become a serious component of cultural exchange between our countries in the future,” Babinsky.

In her turn, Director of “Novosty-Armenia” Galina Davidyan reported that the new independent Armenian news agency will start working in cooperation with “RIA Novosty” and the “ARKA” news agency. She pointed out that the main task of the news agency is expanding information exchange and allowing CIS citizens, primarily Russian citizens, to be informed of Armenia’s political, economic and cultural life. On the other hand, Armenian citizens will be informed of the developments in Russia and the other CIS countries. “Such exchange of information is in great demand,” Davidyan said. She stressed that “RIA Novosty” will provide huge information resources, which will be properly used by “Novosty-Armenia”.

Davidyan said that “Novosty-Armenia” will work in Russian and Armenian, and the information will be accessible on the agency’s web-site. She stressed that “Novosty-Armenia” will work in all Armenian regions, as well as in Nagorny Karabakh. P.T. -0–