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MOSCOW TO STRENGTHEN ITS POSITION IN SOUTH CAUCASUS - PUTIN
Interfax, Russia
Dec 2 2013
GYUMRI Armenia. Dec 2
Russia intends to strengthen its position in the South Caucasus,
President Vladimir Putin said at the Russian-Armenian Interregional
Forum.
"As to the South Caucasus, Russia has never planned to leave it. On
the contrary, we are going to strengthen our position in the South
Caucasus," Putin said.
He said the position would strengthen "relying on the best inheritance
from our ancestors and the good relations with all countries of the
region, including Armenia."
Putin called for developing cooperation between Russian and Armenian
regions.
Interregional cooperation is becoming "a major factor in the
strengthening of [bilateral] trade and economic relations," the Russian
leader told the audience at the Third Russian-Armenian Forum in Gyumri.
"It already involves all the regions of Armenia and about 70 regions
of Russia," Putin said. "It is important to continue the enlargement
of the potential of the mutually advantageous partnership, to
involve small and medium businesses in interregional cooperation,
to broaden youth and tourism exchanges and to establish contacts
between communities, civil and public organizations," the Russian
president said.
Russia is a leading trade partner and the main investor in Armenia.
The bilateral trade turnover grew more than 20% and topped $1.2 billion
in 2012, Putin said. Accumulated investment from Russia exceeded $3
billion, which was more than 40% of the entire foreign investment
in Armenia.
The joint infrastructural and energy projects are being implemented,
the Russian leader said. He mentioned the commercial operation of the
fifth unit of the Razdan thermal power plant, the enlargement of the
facilities of the Sevan-Razdan hydropower cascade, the extended period
of operation of the Armenian nuclear power plant and the modernization
of Armenian railroads.
Putin greeted the forum delegates and said "the traditions of
confidence and friendship continued to shape up bilateral relations as
a partnership and an alliance." "The city of Gyumri [former Leninakan]
which survived a devastating earthquake 25 year ago became a symbol
of mutual support and close relations bonding Russia and Armenia,"
the president said.
Putin noted a positive effect from the Customs Union of Russia,
Kazakhstan and Belarus.
"Membership in the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space has
brought tangible dividends to Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus," he said.
The troika's GDP grew 1.7% in the first half of 2013 in spite of the
unfavorable economic situation of the past few years, Putin stressed.
The removal of customs and administrative barriers beefs up trade. The
trade turnover in the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space
gained 2% (excluding fuel and energy deliveries) in January-August.
"Competition between national jurisdictions becomes a totally new
phenomenon. Businessmen of Customs Union member countries have a
right to choose the place for registration of their companies. This
encourages the authorities to create comfortable conditions for
business," Putin said.
The Russian president 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."
From: A. Papazian
Interfax, Russia
Dec 2 2013
GYUMRI Armenia. Dec 2
Russia intends to strengthen its position in the South Caucasus,
President Vladimir Putin said at the Russian-Armenian Interregional
Forum.
"As to the South Caucasus, Russia has never planned to leave it. On
the contrary, we are going to strengthen our position in the South
Caucasus," Putin said.
He said the position would strengthen "relying on the best inheritance
from our ancestors and the good relations with all countries of the
region, including Armenia."
Putin called for developing cooperation between Russian and Armenian
regions.
Interregional cooperation is becoming "a major factor in the
strengthening of [bilateral] trade and economic relations," the Russian
leader told the audience at the Third Russian-Armenian Forum in Gyumri.
"It already involves all the regions of Armenia and about 70 regions
of Russia," Putin said. "It is important to continue the enlargement
of the potential of the mutually advantageous partnership, to
involve small and medium businesses in interregional cooperation,
to broaden youth and tourism exchanges and to establish contacts
between communities, civil and public organizations," the Russian
president said.
Russia is a leading trade partner and the main investor in Armenia.
The bilateral trade turnover grew more than 20% and topped $1.2 billion
in 2012, Putin said. Accumulated investment from Russia exceeded $3
billion, which was more than 40% of the entire foreign investment
in Armenia.
The joint infrastructural and energy projects are being implemented,
the Russian leader said. He mentioned the commercial operation of the
fifth unit of the Razdan thermal power plant, the enlargement of the
facilities of the Sevan-Razdan hydropower cascade, the extended period
of operation of the Armenian nuclear power plant and the modernization
of Armenian railroads.
Putin greeted the forum delegates and said "the traditions of
confidence and friendship continued to shape up bilateral relations as
a partnership and an alliance." "The city of Gyumri [former Leninakan]
which survived a devastating earthquake 25 year ago became a symbol
of mutual support and close relations bonding Russia and Armenia,"
the president said.
Putin noted a positive effect from the Customs Union of Russia,
Kazakhstan and Belarus.
"Membership in the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space has
brought tangible dividends to Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus," he said.
The troika's GDP grew 1.7% in the first half of 2013 in spite of the
unfavorable economic situation of the past few years, Putin stressed.
The removal of customs and administrative barriers beefs up trade. The
trade turnover in the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space
gained 2% (excluding fuel and energy deliveries) in January-August.
"Competition between national jurisdictions becomes a totally new
phenomenon. Businessmen of Customs Union member countries have a
right to choose the place for registration of their companies. This
encourages the authorities to create comfortable conditions for
business," Putin said.
The Russian president 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."
From: A. Papazian