Monday, 24 March 2008
Following the meeting with Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov, RA President-elect, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan met with President of Russia Vladimir Putin.
First of all, Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude for the invitation to visit the Russian Federation and the message of congratulations sent by Vladimir Putin in connection with his election as President of Armenia. Serzh Sargsyan then took the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Putin on the successful completion of presidential elections in Russia. He expressed hope that during RF President-elect Dmitry Medvedev\'s tenure of office, the Armenian-Russian relationship will continue developing along the lines of friendship, strategic partnership and cooperation, based on the groundwork laid by Vladimir Putin and Robert Kocharyan. According to Serzh Sargsyan, the above may be guaranteed by the two States\' high-level relations and close ties, as well as the centuries-old friendship between the peoples of Armenia and Russia. In his capacity of RA President-elect, Serzh Sargsyan assured that Armenia will continue with the policy of furtherance and deepening of cooperation with the Russian Federation and strengthening of the friendship between the two peoples.
Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin further touched upon the post-electoral developments in Armenia. President-elect Serzh Sargsyan presented the internal political situation of Armenia by stressing that the Armenian authorities are determined to do their utmost for the re-establishment of the atmosphere of stability, national unity and tolerance in the country.
The parties have also discussed a broad range of issues bearing on the Armenian-Russian cooperation in the political, military-economic and other fields, inclusive of the Karabakh peace process. Vladimir Putin mentioned that the process of conflict settlement should be continued in the frameworks of the OSCE Minsk group.
The President of Russia expressed confidence that Armenia\'s domestic problems will be given a prompt solution on the part of the President-elect and, on behalf of the authorities of Russia, conveyed assurances of support to the authorities and the people of Armenia with their efforts towards the reinstatement of internal stability and the handling of the challenges facing the country.
RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan thanked Vladimir Putin for a warm welcome and constructive discussions and expressed confidence that today\'s meeting will provide a step forward on the way to developing and expanding the cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation.
Later this evening, in conclusion of his working visit, Serzh Sargsyan will meet with head of RF government Victor Zubkov, after which the RA Prime Minister-led delegation will be back to Yerevan.
