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IN ARMENIA, PUTIN SEEKS STRONGER ROLE IN CAUCASUS
http://asbarez.com/116913/in-armenia-putin-seeks-stronger-role-in-caucasus/
Monday, December 2nd, 2013
Russian President Valdimir Putin lays a wreath at Dzidzernagapert on
his visit to Armenia (Photo: Armenpress)
YEREVAN (Combined Sources)-Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived
in Armenia Monday on his first official visit since regaining the
Russian presidency last year and vowed for a stronger Russian role
in the Caucasus.
Days after President Serzh Sarkisian told European leaders in
Vilnius, Lithuania that Armenia will continue to pursue "measured"
relations with Europe, he met with his Russian counterpart to discuss
continued development of the two countries' strategic partnership,
trade and economic relations, as well as Armenia's membership in the
Customs Union.
At a press conference following his meeting, Putin vowed that Russia
would do everything in its power to ensure Armenia's membership in the
Customs Union, saying that all steps had been taken toward that goal.
In his remarks, Putin also discussed the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict and the role Russia plays in the security of the region. He
said Russia did not want bloodshed on its borders.
He addressed Azerbaijan's military threats against Armenia head on
saying in the event of resumption of war, "Conditions for a peaceful
resolution will be reduced, and other means of resolving the conflict
will be reinforced."
Putin also emphasized that it would be counterproductive to speak
about what Russia will do if war resumes. "We must try to solve all
disputable issues exceptionally in a political, diplomatic way. That's
what we'll be aspiring for," he said.
During the meeting, a number of documents were signed between the
two countries. One such document envisions the cancelation of export
duties for supplies of natural gas, oil products and diamonds. Another
outlined Russian cooperation in nuclear safety.
Putin arrived in Gyumri on Monday morning, where after the
official welcoming ceremony, he and Sarkisian attended the third
Russian-Armenian Forum, at which the Customs Union was again a priority
topic of discussion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian
meet in Yerevan, Dec. 2 (Photo: Photolur)
In praising the virtues of the Customs Union, Putin told the Forum that
since joining the alliance, Kazakhstan and Belarus have experienced
growth in their countries' gross domestic product during the first
half of 2013.
"Membership in the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space
has brought tangible dividends to Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus,"
said Putin.
Putin said he was confident that Armenia's accession to the Eurasian
integration project "would seriously strengthen its economic potential,
improve the investment climate and promote direct business contacts,
including those between regions."
Putin and Sarkisian then traveled to Yerevan, where the Russian
president was met with anti-Russian, anti-Customs Union protesters,
who clashed with anti-riot police. Some 110 protesters were arrested.
Dzidzernagapert Visit Putin also visited the Dzidzernagapert
Memorial Complex and laid a wreath in memory of the Armenian Genocide
victims. He also watered the tree he planted during his state visit
in 2001 at the complex's Memorial Alley.
Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, Haik Demoyan,
presented Putin with a replica of gold coins minted in Petrograd in
1915. The coins, which depict the two-headed eagle of the Russian
Empire and the traditional Armenian Cross were produced to raise
funds for Genocide survivors.
While in Gyumri, Sarkisian and Putin visited the Russian military base,
commissioned the 5th power unit of Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant and
dedicated two stamps commemorating the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics
in the Russian city of Sochi.
Putin also honored the victims of the 1988 earthquake by placing a
wreath at a memorial in Gyumri.
Gazprom becomes the sole owner of ArmRosGazprom The Russian Gazprom
Company on Monday acquired the last 20 percent of ArmRosGazprom
Company, reported Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller.
Miller, who was in Armenia with Putin's delegation, said ArmRosGazprom
will become a Gazprom subsidiary company, adding that "the Russian
gas price for Armenia will change, and will be supplied to Armenia
at Russia's domestic rate."
http://asbarez.com/116913/in-armenia-putin-seeks-stronger-role-in-caucasus/
Monday, December 2nd, 2013
Russian President Valdimir Putin lays a wreath at Dzidzernagapert on
his visit to Armenia (Photo: Armenpress)
YEREVAN (Combined Sources)-Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived
in Armenia Monday on his first official visit since regaining the
Russian presidency last year and vowed for a stronger Russian role
in the Caucasus.
Days after President Serzh Sarkisian told European leaders in
Vilnius, Lithuania that Armenia will continue to pursue "measured"
relations with Europe, he met with his Russian counterpart to discuss
continued development of the two countries' strategic partnership,
trade and economic relations, as well as Armenia's membership in the
Customs Union.
At a press conference following his meeting, Putin vowed that Russia
would do everything in its power to ensure Armenia's membership in the
Customs Union, saying that all steps had been taken toward that goal.
In his remarks, Putin also discussed the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict and the role Russia plays in the security of the region. He
said Russia did not want bloodshed on its borders.
He addressed Azerbaijan's military threats against Armenia head on
saying in the event of resumption of war, "Conditions for a peaceful
resolution will be reduced, and other means of resolving the conflict
will be reinforced."
Putin also emphasized that it would be counterproductive to speak
about what Russia will do if war resumes. "We must try to solve all
disputable issues exceptionally in a political, diplomatic way. That's
what we'll be aspiring for," he said.
During the meeting, a number of documents were signed between the
two countries. One such document envisions the cancelation of export
duties for supplies of natural gas, oil products and diamonds. Another
outlined Russian cooperation in nuclear safety.
Putin arrived in Gyumri on Monday morning, where after the
official welcoming ceremony, he and Sarkisian attended the third
Russian-Armenian Forum, at which the Customs Union was again a priority
topic of discussion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian
meet in Yerevan, Dec. 2 (Photo: Photolur)
In praising the virtues of the Customs Union, Putin told the Forum that
since joining the alliance, Kazakhstan and Belarus have experienced
growth in their countries' gross domestic product during the first
half of 2013.
"Membership in the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space
has brought tangible dividends to Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus,"
said Putin.
Putin said he was confident that Armenia's accession to the Eurasian
integration project "would seriously strengthen its economic potential,
improve the investment climate and promote direct business contacts,
including those between regions."
Putin and Sarkisian then traveled to Yerevan, where the Russian
president was met with anti-Russian, anti-Customs Union protesters,
who clashed with anti-riot police. Some 110 protesters were arrested.
Dzidzernagapert Visit Putin also visited the Dzidzernagapert
Memorial Complex and laid a wreath in memory of the Armenian Genocide
victims. He also watered the tree he planted during his state visit
in 2001 at the complex's Memorial Alley.
Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, Haik Demoyan,
presented Putin with a replica of gold coins minted in Petrograd in
1915. The coins, which depict the two-headed eagle of the Russian
Empire and the traditional Armenian Cross were produced to raise
funds for Genocide survivors.
While in Gyumri, Sarkisian and Putin visited the Russian military base,
commissioned the 5th power unit of Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant and
dedicated two stamps commemorating the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics
in the Russian city of Sochi.
Putin also honored the victims of the 1988 earthquake by placing a
wreath at a memorial in Gyumri.
Gazprom becomes the sole owner of ArmRosGazprom The Russian Gazprom
Company on Monday acquired the last 20 percent of ArmRosGazprom
Company, reported Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller.
Miller, who was in Armenia with Putin's delegation, said ArmRosGazprom
will become a Gazprom subsidiary company, adding that "the Russian
gas price for Armenia will change, and will be supplied to Armenia
at Russia's domestic rate."