Armenian and Russian presidents welcome bilateral interregional forum’s participants

YEREVAN, October 15. /ARKA/. Presidents of Armenia and the Russian Federation Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin addressed welcoming messages to the participants of the Second Armenian-Russian Interregional forum “Armenia and Russia. Interregional dialogue 2012”, kicked off in Yerevan on Saturday.

Mr Sargsyan said in a message that Armenia and Russia have brotherly and friendly relations which date back to centuries. 

“Today, these relations, which are developing steadfastly based on the principles of the allied interaction and strategic partnership, have become the nucleus if the Armenian-Russian interstate cooperation,” he highlighted.

“We are interacting closely and in a coordinated manner in the framework of the international agenda and our fruitful cooperation is unfolding in the most diverse areas – economy, science and technology, and humanitarian areas.”

Armenia’s President also mentioned the importance that the cooperation engages more Russian regions – from the west and northwest parts of the country to Siberia and Far East.

On his side, Mr Putin said in his message that development of direct ties between the regions of Armenia and Russia is an important priority for improving the bilateral strategic partnership.

“It is encouraging, that such meetings got public support, and the forum will be held on a regular basis. We need to completely explore the potential of such cooperation, create maximally favorable conditions for implementing joint projects and programs in commerce, industry, tourism and services, infrastructure and high-tech spheres,” the message says. 

The forum gathered over 300 representatives of the central and regional authorities, business, non-governmental organizations of Russia and Armenia, the delegation of Russia’s 13 regions, and all regions of Armenia. 

Russia’s delegations, particularly those of Moscow and St. Petersburg, discussed prospects for interregional cooperation with their Armenian colleagues. 

A number of agreements are expected to be signed within the forum, such as on cooperation between Vayots Dzor region of Armenia and Russia’s Arkhangelsk region, Armenia’s Lori and South Caucasus Railway cjsc. 

After the plenary session the forum participants will go on with discussions in front of the round table. 

The first Armenian-Russian interregional forum was held in Yerevan on April 18-20, 2011.

A number of agreements were reached following the forum, including the memorandum signed between SCR and Armenia’s government on launching a construction of a 32-km segment of Vanadzor-Fioletovo railway. -0-