Armenia Highlights Development of Relations with Russia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The solemn closing ceremony of the Year of Armenia in Russia took place in Saint Petersburg December 2. When addressing the attendees of the event Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan said in part, "As you know, the year of 2006 was announced the Year of Armenia in Russia. During the opening ceremony in January our Presidents wished the Year of Armenia in Russia to become a real move for consolidation of our partnership. Today we can firmly say that it has become one more remarkable landmark in the history of the Armenian-Russian relations. The centuries-old friendship and traditional unshakable ties of the Armenian and Russian people became a foundation for the allied relations between our states.



I hope that the Year offered the Russian people a possibility to learn more about modern Armenia and its potential. Our state is striving towards the future observing the reality and maintaining national traditions. Scientific conferences, business forums, joint investigation programs, exhibitions and concerts were organized within the event framework. Days of Armenia were held in many regions of Russia. These events opened new horizons for our relations. Political and economic relations form the basis of long-lasting and mutually beneficial partnership in the modern world. Russia is Armenia's major trade and economic partner. We attach great importance to further development of cooperation in the energy, transport, chemical and many other fields.



It's especially gratifying that the solemn closing ceremony of the Year of Armenia in Russia is taking place in Saint Petersburg, the city of amazing beauty and one of the world's cultural centers. Our people's culture is intertwined with Saint Petersburg. Pleiades of outstanding Armenian scientists, artists and public figures, such as Orbeli, Papazyan, Prince Argutinsky and others, are bound with the Northern Capital. The most numerous Armenian Diaspora lives in Russia and at all the stages of development it made its contribution to the development of the Russian State. We are convinced that today's problems of our compatriots in Russia are in the limelight of the Russian leadership. National intolerance is our common problem and in this context we are concerned about the frequent cases of violence against our compatriots. Armenians in Russia like Russians in Armenia are the carriers of centuries-old traditions, a firm bridge between the two states, which must be strengthened and guarded," reports IA Regnum.