October 23, 2008 - 18:49 AMT
Russia decided to increase its influence on Armenia and Azerbaijan via active mediation in Karabakh process
The nature of the Armenian-Russian relations and the latest developments in the South Caucasus added savor to Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Armenia, an Armenian MP said.

"Speaking about the Armenian-Russian relations, we proceed from two basic points. First, it's the centuries-old friendship, which underlies bilateral relations. Second, it's the policy, which is materialized due to global developments. The recent events in Georgia highlighted this approach in the Armenian-Russian relations," Armen Ashotyan, chairman of the RA NA standing committee of science, education, culture, youth and sports, said during Yerevan-Moscow TV space bridge today.

Russia is not just a strategic partner for Armenia. Yerevan is interested in Russia's assistance in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, according to him.

At the same time Ashotyan remarked that "Armenia and Russia do not satisfy each other's geopolitical needs in the region." "From this standpoint, the Armenian-European-American and Russian-Turkish-Azeri flirts should be taken easy, since they complement national interests Armenia and Russia can't offer each other," he said, adding that Russia decided to increase its influence on Armenia and Azerbaijan via active mediation in the Karabakh process.