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RUSSIAN, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS EXCHANGE REMARKS AT START OF TALKS - KREMLIN TEXT
President of the Russian Federation website, Kremlin
March 12 2013
Meeting with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan; 12 March 2013, 1700
[1300 gmt], Novo-Ogarevo, Moscow Region
The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation issues.
Vladimir Putin congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on his victory in the
presidential election, which was held in Armenia on 18 February. The
working visit to Russia is the first foreign visit of the Armenian
president since the election.
[President of Russia Vladimir Putin] Mr Sargsyan, thank you very
much for your visit. This is your first foreign visit, your first
trip abroad since the presidential election in Armenia. I want to
congratulate you again on a convincing victory: you gained over 60
per cent of the vote, which is an excellent result. It shows the
Armenian people's confidence in you and gives you the opportunity
to meet all the objectives you set for yourself when you embarked on
the election campaign.
Russia has special relations with Armenia, and people in both countries
are aware of that. Overall, our relations are developing successfully,
despite the problems in the global economy. Last year trade between
our states grew by over 20 per cent. I am also very pleased to note
that Russia continues to steadily hold first place among Armenia's
trade and economic partners.
Russia is also in first place in terms of accumulated foreign
investment (over 3bn dollars) in Armenia, and this trend continues. We
have ambitious major long-term joint investment plans. I hope that
today we will have the opportunity to talk about the entire range
of issues.
Our political contacts are developing equally actively. We are
cooperating at all levels and in all areas: there are contacts
among our parliaments, our Governments, political parties and public
organizations. All this provides a very good basis for strengthening
our relations, especially interpersonal contacts and ties in the
humanitarian sphere.
A very important role is played in this area by the public associations
of the Armenian diaspora in the Russian Federation. There are many
Armenians living in Russia, as you know, and they are very respectable
and hard working citizens of our country. They continue to maintain
close contacts with their historical homeland. This is the additional
human capital that unites us.
I am very glad to see you. Welcome.
[President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan] Thank you, Mr Putin.
Thank you for the invitation and for your congratulations on my
election as president of Armenia.
It is absolutely natural that my first visit abroad is to Moscow, to
Russia. Russia is our strategic partner and ally, and that says it all.
Last year was a special year for us. We celebrated the 20th anniversary
of diplomatic relations between our states. During this period, we
have seen very positive development and achieved exceptional results
in all fields: in politics, the economy, defence, the humanitarian
sphere and integration. Therefore, we believe the potential we have
accumulated is good and now we must develop it further.
Mr President, I want to thank you especially for the progress in the
defence sphere since our last meeting. The Russian defence minister and
chief of the General Staff have visited Armenia. The Armenian public
very much appreciated the fact that the Russian defence minister came
to Armenia on Armenian Armed Forces Day.
I agree with you that there has been some solid progress in the
economy. Certain issues remain, but we hope for Russia's help and
support.
I am very happy to be here and thank you for your kind words. Once
again, Mr President, I confirm my invitation to you to come to Armenia
on a state visit. Thank you.
[Vladimir Putin] Thank you.
President of the Russian Federation website, Kremlin
March 12 2013
Meeting with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan; 12 March 2013, 1700
[1300 gmt], Novo-Ogarevo, Moscow Region
The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation issues.
Vladimir Putin congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on his victory in the
presidential election, which was held in Armenia on 18 February. The
working visit to Russia is the first foreign visit of the Armenian
president since the election.
[President of Russia Vladimir Putin] Mr Sargsyan, thank you very
much for your visit. This is your first foreign visit, your first
trip abroad since the presidential election in Armenia. I want to
congratulate you again on a convincing victory: you gained over 60
per cent of the vote, which is an excellent result. It shows the
Armenian people's confidence in you and gives you the opportunity
to meet all the objectives you set for yourself when you embarked on
the election campaign.
Russia has special relations with Armenia, and people in both countries
are aware of that. Overall, our relations are developing successfully,
despite the problems in the global economy. Last year trade between
our states grew by over 20 per cent. I am also very pleased to note
that Russia continues to steadily hold first place among Armenia's
trade and economic partners.
Russia is also in first place in terms of accumulated foreign
investment (over 3bn dollars) in Armenia, and this trend continues. We
have ambitious major long-term joint investment plans. I hope that
today we will have the opportunity to talk about the entire range
of issues.
Our political contacts are developing equally actively. We are
cooperating at all levels and in all areas: there are contacts
among our parliaments, our Governments, political parties and public
organizations. All this provides a very good basis for strengthening
our relations, especially interpersonal contacts and ties in the
humanitarian sphere.
A very important role is played in this area by the public associations
of the Armenian diaspora in the Russian Federation. There are many
Armenians living in Russia, as you know, and they are very respectable
and hard working citizens of our country. They continue to maintain
close contacts with their historical homeland. This is the additional
human capital that unites us.
I am very glad to see you. Welcome.
[President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan] Thank you, Mr Putin.
Thank you for the invitation and for your congratulations on my
election as president of Armenia.
It is absolutely natural that my first visit abroad is to Moscow, to
Russia. Russia is our strategic partner and ally, and that says it all.
Last year was a special year for us. We celebrated the 20th anniversary
of diplomatic relations between our states. During this period, we
have seen very positive development and achieved exceptional results
in all fields: in politics, the economy, defence, the humanitarian
sphere and integration. Therefore, we believe the potential we have
accumulated is good and now we must develop it further.
Mr President, I want to thank you especially for the progress in the
defence sphere since our last meeting. The Russian defence minister and
chief of the General Staff have visited Armenia. The Armenian public
very much appreciated the fact that the Russian defence minister came
to Armenia on Armenian Armed Forces Day.
I agree with you that there has been some solid progress in the
economy. Certain issues remain, but we hope for Russia's help and
support.
I am very happy to be here and thank you for your kind words. Once
again, Mr President, I confirm my invitation to you to come to Armenia
on a state visit. Thank you.
[Vladimir Putin] Thank you.