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PRESIDENT PUTIN'S STATEMENTS & ANSWERS TO JOURNALISTS' QUESTIONS FOLLOWING MEETING WTH PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA SERZH SARGSYAN
Kremlin.ru
Office of the President of the Russian Federation
Russia
Aug 8 2012
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN : Good afternoon, ladies and
gentlemen,
We have finished our talks with the President of Armenia. I want to
start by thanking Mr Sargsyan for accepting our invitation and coming
to Moscow today and giving us this opportunity, which we will continue
informally now, to discuss the full spectrum of our relations.
I mentioned at the start of our meeting that we are celebrating
two symbolic dates this year: 20 years since our two countries
established diplomatic relations, and 15 years since we signed the
Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. In this
respect it gives me particular pleasure to speak of our achievements
so far this year, and we do have results to show.
In the economy, we have practically come back to the pre-crisis level
of around $1 billion in trade turnover. I agree with Mr Sargsyan that
this is not enough for our two countries and that we can and must go
even further.
I hope that the Intergovernmental Commission, which will start work
very soon (with the Transport Minister [Maxim Sokolov] as co-chairman
on the Russian side), will draft the cooperation programme for our
economic relations through to 2020. This will be something like a
roadmap for our trade and economic ties.
We place a lot of importance on developing interregional ties. In this
respect, I note that more than 70 Russian regions are involved in such
ties. Interregional cooperation is developing specific organisational
forms now too: the first Interregional Forum took place in Yerevan
in April 2011, and the second such forum is scheduled for November
this year.
I am sure you will agree with me that direct contacts between our
regions are extremely important. They help to reduce red tape in
economic relations and make them more vibrant, concrete and effective.
We discussed today the prospects for increasing our cooperation within
the CIS, CSTO and other international organisations. We spoke more
broadly about the integration projects underway in the post-Soviet
area and reflected on what we need to do to make use of the latest
integration agreements. We agreed to establish a joint commission to
look at how we can make use of the latest Customs Union cooperation
agreements between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus with regard to
Armenia and its specific situation. Armenia does not have any common
borders with us after all, but we can reflect on ways to use some of
the instruments the three countries have agreed on.
Of course, we also devoted considerable attention to the Nagorno
Karabakh issue and exchanged our views on the situation with
negotiations. I stress in this respect Russia's continued commitment
to playing an active part as a mediator through its role as co-chair
of the OSCE's Minsk Group.
I am happy with the meeting's results and once more I want to thank
Mr Sargsyan for finding the time and accepting our invitation to come
to Moscow.
Thank you for your attention.
PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA SERZH SARGSYAN : Thank you, Mr President. It is
a genuine pleasure to meet with you again.
I am happy to see that the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership,
based on the time-tested friendship between our peoples, continues
its steady growth. Our countries have reached a complete mutual
understanding on foreign and domestic policy matters.
The regular political dialogue at all levels and active contacts
between our parliaments and at the regional level play a big part in
strengthening our partnership.
We looked at how to strengthen the institutions underpinning our
bilateral cooperation today and discussed the need for more frequent
exchanges and consultations at every level, including at the higher
levels.
Armenia has always strived for peace and stability in the Caucasus.
This is the goal of our policy to reach a peaceful and lasting
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We think that Russia plays
a key part in security issues in the South Caucasus. This applies too,
to Russia's constructive efforts to settle the Nagorno Karabakh issue,
which are extremely important for Armenia. Mr President, we thank
you for Russia's constant attention and effective efforts in this area.
We seek to continue our effective cooperation, based on mutual
consideration for each other's interests, within international and
regional organisations. We will continue our efforts to make our
foreign policy coordination in international forums more effective.
Armenia is a strong supporter of reinforcing the CSTO and we will
continue to make the necessary efforts to develop this organisation.
Armenia will host the CSTO Rapid Reaction Force's military exercises
in September.
Our military and military technical cooperation continue to develop
well. We discussed today new possibilities for expanding our
cooperation in the defence industry and in training for military
personnel.
We extended the lease of the Russian military base in Armenia in 2010.
Our position is that having the military base on our soil is in the
interests of our country's security. The protocol that we signed also
expands possibilities for using the base in the event of a threat to
Armenia's security.
Russia's economic presence in Armenia is in the strategic interests
of both countries. Russia is Armenia's main trade partner and accounts
for more than half of all foreign investment in our country.
The joint implementation of a number of big projects such as
construction of new units at the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and
possible Russian participation in infrastructure projects in Armenia
are evidence of our long-term economic ties.
Of course, we also discussed today the important matter of prices for
natural gas supplies to Armenia. I think that we have reached a common
understanding on the price: it will be based on the real market price
multiplied or divided (as you wish) by Armenia's natural gas supply
needs at costs comparable to regional prices and that can ensure the
Armenian economy remains effective.
Mr Putin confirmed that Russia wants to see a strong, competitive
and developed Armenia. This is the approach of a true ally. I thank
the Russian President for his clear position on all of the issues on
our agenda.
I took the opportunity to invite President Putin to make a state
visit to Armenia at any convenient time for him.
Thank you very much.
QUESTION : Mr Sargsyan, Mr Putin, what do you think of the performance
of Armenian and Russian athletes at London Olympics? An ethnic
Armenian Arsen Galstyan won Russia's first gold medal, and we were
all enthralled by boxer Mikhail Aloyan's performance, and wish him
good luck on August 10.
VLADIMIR PUTIN : We congratulate all the athletes on their great
success at the Olympics, whatever their ethnic background. As I said
to your Russian colleagues yesterday, in some events we hoped for
better results, and in other events we have achieved some completely
unexpected results. Sport is sport. Whatever the case, we are proud
of our athletes. The Games are not over yet and it is still early
to sum up the results. We will analyse the results and make our
conclusions later. Right now, I want to congratulate those who have
achieved outstanding results, and I stress that Russia will continue
its unfailing support for the Olympic movement and its principles.
SERZH SARGSYAN : I think you already said everything in your question.
Of course, Galstyan's victory is a valuable symbol for everyone who
treasures Armenian-Russian cooperation, and it just goes to show
that together we are stronger. By the way, Armenia's Olympic team
includes athletes who were born in Russia. I think our team has done
quite well overall and I wish them success over the remaining days
of the Olympics.
QUESTION : Let me apologise straight away for asking a question that
is not about Russian-Armenian relations, but today is August 8 - the
fourth anniversary of the conflict in South Ossetia, and so I wanted
to ask you about your personal involvement in the events of those
days. I asked you yesterday about the film that our South Ossetian
colleagues made about those events. The film asserts, in particular,
that you telephoned from Beijing, where you were at that moment, on
August 8. Did you really call from Beijing? And is it true that Russia
did not have an action plan ready in the event of Georgian military
aggression against South Ossetia? Could you answer these questions?
Thank you.
VLADIMIR PUTIN : There was a plan in place, and I think it is no secret
that Russia's forces acted in accordance with this plan. I have spoken
about this publicly before, and as I say, it is no secret. The General
Staff drew up this plan somewhere in late 2006 or early 2007.
I approved it. Furthermore, this plan was used as the basis
for training South Ossetian volunteer forces. True, our military
specialists, to be honest, did not place much hope in this work, given
that resisting any country's regular armed forces, even those of a
small country like Georgia, is impossible. But these volunteer forces
nevertheless played a much-needed part in the end and courageously
defended their homeland. Over the three days before the Russian armed
forces arrived, it was essentially just they and our peacekeepers who
were holding off the Georgian forces. So, they did play their part. We
mobilised military equipment and arms and so on in accordance with the
plan. There is no secret here. We have already discussed all of this.
As for telephone calls, I called Mr Medvedev twice, on August 7 and 8,
and I called the Defence Minister. We discussed the situation.
Kremlin.ru
Office of the President of the Russian Federation
Russia
Aug 8 2012
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN : Good afternoon, ladies and
gentlemen,
We have finished our talks with the President of Armenia. I want to
start by thanking Mr Sargsyan for accepting our invitation and coming
to Moscow today and giving us this opportunity, which we will continue
informally now, to discuss the full spectrum of our relations.
I mentioned at the start of our meeting that we are celebrating
two symbolic dates this year: 20 years since our two countries
established diplomatic relations, and 15 years since we signed the
Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. In this
respect it gives me particular pleasure to speak of our achievements
so far this year, and we do have results to show.
In the economy, we have practically come back to the pre-crisis level
of around $1 billion in trade turnover. I agree with Mr Sargsyan that
this is not enough for our two countries and that we can and must go
even further.
I hope that the Intergovernmental Commission, which will start work
very soon (with the Transport Minister [Maxim Sokolov] as co-chairman
on the Russian side), will draft the cooperation programme for our
economic relations through to 2020. This will be something like a
roadmap for our trade and economic ties.
We place a lot of importance on developing interregional ties. In this
respect, I note that more than 70 Russian regions are involved in such
ties. Interregional cooperation is developing specific organisational
forms now too: the first Interregional Forum took place in Yerevan
in April 2011, and the second such forum is scheduled for November
this year.
I am sure you will agree with me that direct contacts between our
regions are extremely important. They help to reduce red tape in
economic relations and make them more vibrant, concrete and effective.
We discussed today the prospects for increasing our cooperation within
the CIS, CSTO and other international organisations. We spoke more
broadly about the integration projects underway in the post-Soviet
area and reflected on what we need to do to make use of the latest
integration agreements. We agreed to establish a joint commission to
look at how we can make use of the latest Customs Union cooperation
agreements between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus with regard to
Armenia and its specific situation. Armenia does not have any common
borders with us after all, but we can reflect on ways to use some of
the instruments the three countries have agreed on.
Of course, we also devoted considerable attention to the Nagorno
Karabakh issue and exchanged our views on the situation with
negotiations. I stress in this respect Russia's continued commitment
to playing an active part as a mediator through its role as co-chair
of the OSCE's Minsk Group.
I am happy with the meeting's results and once more I want to thank
Mr Sargsyan for finding the time and accepting our invitation to come
to Moscow.
Thank you for your attention.
PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA SERZH SARGSYAN : Thank you, Mr President. It is
a genuine pleasure to meet with you again.
I am happy to see that the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership,
based on the time-tested friendship between our peoples, continues
its steady growth. Our countries have reached a complete mutual
understanding on foreign and domestic policy matters.
The regular political dialogue at all levels and active contacts
between our parliaments and at the regional level play a big part in
strengthening our partnership.
We looked at how to strengthen the institutions underpinning our
bilateral cooperation today and discussed the need for more frequent
exchanges and consultations at every level, including at the higher
levels.
Armenia has always strived for peace and stability in the Caucasus.
This is the goal of our policy to reach a peaceful and lasting
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We think that Russia plays
a key part in security issues in the South Caucasus. This applies too,
to Russia's constructive efforts to settle the Nagorno Karabakh issue,
which are extremely important for Armenia. Mr President, we thank
you for Russia's constant attention and effective efforts in this area.
We seek to continue our effective cooperation, based on mutual
consideration for each other's interests, within international and
regional organisations. We will continue our efforts to make our
foreign policy coordination in international forums more effective.
Armenia is a strong supporter of reinforcing the CSTO and we will
continue to make the necessary efforts to develop this organisation.
Armenia will host the CSTO Rapid Reaction Force's military exercises
in September.
Our military and military technical cooperation continue to develop
well. We discussed today new possibilities for expanding our
cooperation in the defence industry and in training for military
personnel.
We extended the lease of the Russian military base in Armenia in 2010.
Our position is that having the military base on our soil is in the
interests of our country's security. The protocol that we signed also
expands possibilities for using the base in the event of a threat to
Armenia's security.
Russia's economic presence in Armenia is in the strategic interests
of both countries. Russia is Armenia's main trade partner and accounts
for more than half of all foreign investment in our country.
The joint implementation of a number of big projects such as
construction of new units at the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and
possible Russian participation in infrastructure projects in Armenia
are evidence of our long-term economic ties.
Of course, we also discussed today the important matter of prices for
natural gas supplies to Armenia. I think that we have reached a common
understanding on the price: it will be based on the real market price
multiplied or divided (as you wish) by Armenia's natural gas supply
needs at costs comparable to regional prices and that can ensure the
Armenian economy remains effective.
Mr Putin confirmed that Russia wants to see a strong, competitive
and developed Armenia. This is the approach of a true ally. I thank
the Russian President for his clear position on all of the issues on
our agenda.
I took the opportunity to invite President Putin to make a state
visit to Armenia at any convenient time for him.
Thank you very much.
QUESTION : Mr Sargsyan, Mr Putin, what do you think of the performance
of Armenian and Russian athletes at London Olympics? An ethnic
Armenian Arsen Galstyan won Russia's first gold medal, and we were
all enthralled by boxer Mikhail Aloyan's performance, and wish him
good luck on August 10.
VLADIMIR PUTIN : We congratulate all the athletes on their great
success at the Olympics, whatever their ethnic background. As I said
to your Russian colleagues yesterday, in some events we hoped for
better results, and in other events we have achieved some completely
unexpected results. Sport is sport. Whatever the case, we are proud
of our athletes. The Games are not over yet and it is still early
to sum up the results. We will analyse the results and make our
conclusions later. Right now, I want to congratulate those who have
achieved outstanding results, and I stress that Russia will continue
its unfailing support for the Olympic movement and its principles.
SERZH SARGSYAN : I think you already said everything in your question.
Of course, Galstyan's victory is a valuable symbol for everyone who
treasures Armenian-Russian cooperation, and it just goes to show
that together we are stronger. By the way, Armenia's Olympic team
includes athletes who were born in Russia. I think our team has done
quite well overall and I wish them success over the remaining days
of the Olympics.
QUESTION : Let me apologise straight away for asking a question that
is not about Russian-Armenian relations, but today is August 8 - the
fourth anniversary of the conflict in South Ossetia, and so I wanted
to ask you about your personal involvement in the events of those
days. I asked you yesterday about the film that our South Ossetian
colleagues made about those events. The film asserts, in particular,
that you telephoned from Beijing, where you were at that moment, on
August 8. Did you really call from Beijing? And is it true that Russia
did not have an action plan ready in the event of Georgian military
aggression against South Ossetia? Could you answer these questions?
Thank you.
VLADIMIR PUTIN : There was a plan in place, and I think it is no secret
that Russia's forces acted in accordance with this plan. I have spoken
about this publicly before, and as I say, it is no secret. The General
Staff drew up this plan somewhere in late 2006 or early 2007.
I approved it. Furthermore, this plan was used as the basis
for training South Ossetian volunteer forces. True, our military
specialists, to be honest, did not place much hope in this work, given
that resisting any country's regular armed forces, even those of a
small country like Georgia, is impossible. But these volunteer forces
nevertheless played a much-needed part in the end and courageously
defended their homeland. Over the three days before the Russian armed
forces arrived, it was essentially just they and our peacekeepers who
were holding off the Georgian forces. So, they did play their part. We
mobilised military equipment and arms and so on in accordance with the
plan. There is no secret here. We have already discussed all of this.
As for telephone calls, I called Mr Medvedev twice, on August 7 and 8,
and I called the Defence Minister. We discussed the situation.