The Government of the Republic of Armenia

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan received the delegation led by visiting RF Premier Dmitry Medvedev. After the private talks of the Prime Ministers, the two delegations met in an enlarged sitting.

Welcoming the Russian Prime Minister-led government delegation, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan thanked his counterpart for accepting the invitation to visit Armenia.

“Your official visit is a good opportunity to discuss the agenda of bilateral relations and the integration cooperation in the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. It has to be noted that the chair country has suggested a last-minute deferment of the planned meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council without serious grounds.

I would like to emphasize that we do not accept this kind of approach. As for our relationship, I hope that we can reach important agreements resulting from the negotiations, the implementation of which will significantly enrich the Armenian-Russian cooperation.

The Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation is developing consistently in political, military, humanitarian and energy spheres. During the past 18 months, the bilateral legal framework was complemented by nearly three dozen interstate, intergovernmental, interdepartmental and interregional documents. The fourth Armenian-Russian interregional forum was successfully held last year.

We intend to continue efforts aimed at strengthening and developing our strategic partnership with the Russian Federation. Armenia’s government is prepared to take the necessary measures and steps to implement the aforementioned objectives, as well as to intensify bilateral trade and economic relations, based on the cooperation underway in the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

As regards the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, you may know that overnight to April 2, Azerbaijan, according to a pre-designed script, launched a large-scale military operation, which involved the whole arsenal of weaponry at its disposition, including, T-90 tanks, Smerch multiple rocket system, ТОС-1А heavy flame-throwing systems and air force. Civilian population was repeatedly hit in the NKR. It was an unprecedented campaign unfolded since the ceasefire of 1994.

There is a hostility cessation arrangement effective as of April 5, 12: 00 AM, but the Azerni side has been violating the ceasefire by firing from large-caliber weapons and using reconnaissance groups.

As a party to the 1994 ceasefire agreement, the Republic of Armenia will continue to fulfill its commitment to ensuring the safety of the population in Nagorno-Karabakh. We attach great importance to the maintenance of the ceasefire.”

Dmitry Medvedev thanked Hovik Abrahamyan for warm reception and hospitality, noting that he was happy to visit Armenia. “Scheduled a long time ago, my delegation’s official visit is the reflection of our long-standing strong partnership. We hope that decisions will be made in a number of areas on which we had agreed beforehand.

A number of documents relating to the use of space, housing and utilities, environmental protection, health control and interregional cooperation have been prepared for signing. We have just practically agreed on the gas issue. I hope that these decisions will help Armenia develop, and we will continue to strengthen our strategic partnership.

You mentioned the failure to hold the Yerevan meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of EAEC Heads of Government. Yes, it is the case, and our partners have applied with such a request. I understand that the Armenian side had been preparing for the meeting and that swift changes like that cannot give rise to positive emotions. However, I think that first of all we can discuss the existing main issues at the Moscow meeting should you accept our invitation, especially as many questions are standing out due to the fact that no meetings have been held for about half a year.

Secondly, I think that the next meeting would be held in Yerevan without any delays (we have already agreed to meet once a month or every two months). The reasons for this deferment are quite understandable, for what happened, of course, creates a complicated situation, which also affected my visit.

There are a number of issues that I intend to discuss with you and the President of the Republic of Armenia. They are related to the peace process and the continuation of dialogue.

We have spent a lot of time to reinvigorate the dialogue. Whatever happened, the situation is unprecedented since 1994. It drives us to seek possible solutions, mainly for the preservation of peace and the implementation of those agreements that have been reached through the mediation of the Russian Federation.

Peace and dialogue is what matters most at this point of time. You may rest assured that Russia will exert all the necessary efforts in this regard.”

The Armenian and Russian Prime Ministers discussed a number of issues related to Armenian-Russian cooperation: economy, energy, transportation, agriculture, tourism, humanitarian, educational and cultural development, aviation. An agreement has been reached on the issue of reducing the price of natural gas supplies to Armenia. A relevant protocol was signed after the meeting.

The sides stressed the need to strengthen Armenian-Russian economic relations and take further steps aimed at facilitating the trade turnover. In this context, they stressed the importance of active work and regular meetings of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. As for the trade turnover, the two sides emphasized the importance of smooth functioning of the Upper Lars border checkpoint.

Then, Russian co-chair of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission Maxim Sokolov reported on the agreements reached during the sitting and on the status of recommended activities.

Hovik Abrahamyan and Dmitry Medvedev concurred in that the planned signing of a series of documents will help expand the legal framework and deepen economic and trade relations between the two countries.

The Armenian and Russian Prime Ministers reaffirmed their mutual readiness to build on the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership and continue making efforts toward the strengthening of trade and economic relations within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. Later today, a Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan-hosted official dinner was offered to RF Premier Dmitry Medvedev's delegation.