24 june 2008

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia

Vladimir Putin

Meeting with Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia

Participants:
"I am glad to note that after the presidential elections in Armenia we see total continuity of the policy with regard to Russia. I would like to assure you that on our part, on the part of the Russian Government, all the programmes projected are being fulfilled and will continue to be fulfilled."

Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Sargsyan, I am very glad to see you in Moscow again. I am glad to note that after the presidential elections in Armenia we see total continuity of the policy with regard to Russia. I would like to assure you that on our part, on the part of the Russian Government, all the programmes projected are being fulfilled and will continue to be fulfilled.

It gives me pleasure to note that trade between our countries is growing. It approached $1 billion last year. Russia has invested more than a billion in the Armenian economy, about $1.2 billion.

It is good that the Russian financial entities are becoming more active. Our businesses are showing an interest in various sectors of the economy: telecommunications, chemistry and of course energy.

In general, everything is going according to plan. I am sure that your visit to Russia, like your previous visit, will give a good impetus to our bilateral links.

Welcome.

Serzh Sargsyan: Thank you, Mr Putin. Thank you for having done so much to strengthen our relations in your capacity as President of the Russian Federation. The constructive approach to the relations between our countries is still here today, which is very welcome. At the time Presidents Putin and Kocharyan said that trade between our countries could not be less than one billion. I am sure that we will exceed that mark this year.

It is true that investments have been flowing into the Armenian economy. Russian capital feels comfortable in our country and I think we will sustain the same rate of development.

Our relations must strengthen every month and every year. We should pass on what we have to the younger generation. There is a lot that they do not know, we should educate them.

I am glad to meet you.

I would like to say that the programmes begun earlier are being carried on. Today we discussed the progress of these programmes with the Russian President. They are being implemented successfully.