Oskanian: Russia a Largest Trade Partner of Armenia As Before
«Development of military and political, trade and economic, as well as humanitarian cooperation with Russia is a priority of Armenia's foreign policy,» Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated at today's news conference on the results of the MFA activities in 2005. In his words, the holding of the Year of Russia in Armenia boosted activation of bilateral cooperation in 2005. A number of visits at the top level were held, during which the parties discussed matters of development of mutually favorable cooperation, as well as settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, development and ensuring stability in the region.
Political consultations and cooperation within international structures continued in 2005, as well as the CIS and CSTO. V. Oskanian specifically highlighted the 7th session fo the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation. The agenda of the meeting included matters of development of bilateral industrial, energy, transport, bank and trade cooperation, full exploitation of the enterprises conveyed to Russia by Armenia within Property for Debt Agreement. The parties also discussed the direction of the work of Kavkaz-Poti train-ferry.
The Armenian FM also noted development of military cooperation between Armenia and Russia. Specifically, the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on military and technical cooperation matters met in August for the second time. In Oskanian's words, interparliamentary ties are of continuous nature: the 9th session of the Armenian-Russian Interparliamentary Commission was held in Yerevan in May. The Russian and Armenian law-makers actively cooperation both at the bilateral level and within the PaCE, CIS and other international organizations. Besides, he noted the continuing education cooperation between Armenia and Russia. Some 100 free education places are allocated in Russian higher education institutions for Armenian citizens. The activities of the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University promoted the education cooperation.
Relations between Armenia's regions and Russian Federation subjects became notably activated in 2005. Delegations of Russian Sverdlovsk, Perm, Samara, Rostov and Penza regions, Krasnodar Territory, Moscow and Saint Petersburg visited Armenia. Within the framework of the visit cooperation protocols were signed. Russian continues being one of Armenia's largest trade partners: within 11 months the commodity turnover between Armenia and Russia made some $300 million, the Armenian FM remarked. «At the end of 2005 Armenia negotiated with Russia on gas tariffs. The talks are not over yet and Armenia hopes to come to agreement over an acceptable option that will have notable impact on the population well-being and the economic growth rate in Armenia,» Oskanian said.
Political consultations and cooperation within international structures continued in 2005, as well as the CIS and CSTO. V. Oskanian specifically highlighted the 7th session fo the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation. The agenda of the meeting included matters of development of bilateral industrial, energy, transport, bank and trade cooperation, full exploitation of the enterprises conveyed to Russia by Armenia within Property for Debt Agreement. The parties also discussed the direction of the work of Kavkaz-Poti train-ferry.
The Armenian FM also noted development of military cooperation between Armenia and Russia. Specifically, the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on military and technical cooperation matters met in August for the second time. In Oskanian's words, interparliamentary ties are of continuous nature: the 9th session of the Armenian-Russian Interparliamentary Commission was held in Yerevan in May. The Russian and Armenian law-makers actively cooperation both at the bilateral level and within the PaCE, CIS and other international organizations. Besides, he noted the continuing education cooperation between Armenia and Russia. Some 100 free education places are allocated in Russian higher education institutions for Armenian citizens. The activities of the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University promoted the education cooperation.
Relations between Armenia's regions and Russian Federation subjects became notably activated in 2005. Delegations of Russian Sverdlovsk, Perm, Samara, Rostov and Penza regions, Krasnodar Territory, Moscow and Saint Petersburg visited Armenia. Within the framework of the visit cooperation protocols were signed. Russian continues being one of Armenia's largest trade partners: within 11 months the commodity turnover between Armenia and Russia made some $300 million, the Armenian FM remarked. «At the end of 2005 Armenia negotiated with Russia on gas tariffs. The talks are not over yet and Armenia hopes to come to agreement over an acceptable option that will have notable impact on the population well-being and the economic growth rate in Armenia,» Oskanian said.
