Kocharian Opens Year Of Armenia In Russia

Yerevan, January 23, Armenpress: The Russian Year in Armenia intensified bilateral cooperation, Armenian President Robert Kocharian said at a Kremlin ceremony that launched the Armenian Year in Russia on Sunday.

“The political dialog was stepped up, and trade was enlarged,” he said. Kocharian thanked Russia for making the Russian Year in Armenia an interesting and memorable event. Armenia and Russia are developing strategic partnership, which should be immune to the current situation, he said. “I would like the Armenian Year in Russia to be a step forward in the development of our partnership,” he said.

“National communities are an important factor of the relations between Armenia and Russia. Their potential is enormous, and we should find a way of using it,” he said. “We should exclude obnoxious cases of ethnic intolerance in our relations. Russians and Armenians cannot be alien in each other’s countries,” he said.

Common economic, scientific, cultural and educational projects will be developed during the Armenian Year in Russia, President Vladimir Putin said at the Kremlin ceremony.

“Russia values high the traditions of trust and neighborliness in the relations with the people of Armenia. Common historical values and mutual liking, which is passed from one generation to another, make up their solid foundation,” he said. Russia and Armenia have a common wish for the development of multifaceted strategic partnership, Putin said. “Our relations become more dynamic and rich in content year to year,” he said. Bilateral trade grew 40% in 2005, he added.    Businessmen of Russia and Armenia are suggesting breakthroughs in the economic cooperation, he said. “We have many reserves of [the economic cooperation] growth,” he said.

Bilateral strategic partnership plays a considerable role in the response to new threats and challenges, Putin said. “Russia will assist the search for mutually acceptable political and diplomatic solutions, which will bring lasting peace and stability to the South Caucasus,” he said.

“We have seen many times that mutual confidence encourages and enriches our contacts and helps us achieve major goals in the economy, social and political spheres,” he said. The Armenian Year in Russia will be eventful and witness interesting meetings and successful projects, Putin said.