ArmenPress
Aug 23 2004

KOCHARIAN SAYS MEETING IN SOCHI A NEW BOOST TO ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN
RELATIONS

SOCHI, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS: “I would like to express my
satisfaction with the spirit and atmosphere of negotiations which
have marked all our meetings with Armenian leadership. Sincerity and
partnership, in its deep meaning, are typical of Armenian-Russian
relations and for that I would like to thank my counterpart, Robert
Kocharian,” Russian president Vladimir Putin told a news conference
followed by his meeting with Armenian president Robert Kocharian.
According to him, the sides have a good chance to “fix the clocks”
for all spheres of cooperation. The talks mainly related to
cooperation in economic field. Russian president mentioned a number
of concerning issues, particularly decline in trade turnover. V.
Putin voiced his hope that the problems will be overcome in the
nearest future, primarily connected with modernization in Armenal, a
Russian subsidiary in Armenia, and some other problems in one of the
fields which wait for their settlement soon, Russian president
assured. V. Putin mentioned that he had contacted right during the
talks with Russian side involved in Armenal transaction and learned
that works will be over in due time. The total investment by the
Russian side will make 36 mln USD.
Russian president also said that they have conferred on military
cooperation, particularly within Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO). He informed that a decision is developed which
will be presented to the discussion of State Duma. According to the
decision, political military cooperation in CSTO member states should
be equalized with similar transactions in Russia, i.e., all
procurements should be made based on Russian standards and prices.
The sides also discussed infrastructure development cooperation
prospects. According to V. Putin, there are a number of problems in
this important field connected with geopolitical situation of
Armenia. However, he cited a number of good prospects which Russian
president voiced that will be realized.
V. Putin underscored cooperation in energy field among the
economic ties. He praised the present level of cooperation in the
field and voiced his hope that in the future they will be deepened.
Robert Kocharian said that the meeting in Sochi has been a good
opportunity to discuss disposition in different fields. According to
him, issues accumulate from time to time which wait a boost “to pass
through cabinets.”
President Kocharian also expressed his satisfaction with the
nature of the discussed issues. He also mentioned that concerns have
been raised connected with the decline in trade turnover. However,
the president noted that this is not the sole indicator in bilateral
ties. Russian capital has grown in Armenian businesses and is
encompassing more and more new fields year by year, already today
involving agriculture, processed chemistry, hotel, banking, high
technology and other fields. He underscored all the transactions that
are marking Armenian-Russian economic ties today.
Speaking on economic development prospects, Putin also noted the
mentioned fields. “We have untied a “difficult clew” of debts and
responsibilities by handing over control packages of a number of
Armenian companies to Russians,” president Putin mentioned.
President Kocharian said that there a number of issues with Mars
factory and works are under way to increase industrial output there.
In better conditions is Hrazdan Hydro Electric Power Station. It is
normally operating and output may grow in relation to export
possibilities.
Among other issues was military technical cooperation as well as
preparation of Armenian cadres in Russian military establishments.
Responding to the question of Armenpress on the situation in South
Caucasus, Russian president said that South Caucasus is in a
difficult state now and “the present conflicts are the heritage of
the past.” He said part of the conflicts are frozen and some of them
burst out with a new rigor. It is, of coarse, a concerning matter.
However, Russian president voiced his hope that common sense, the
clear understanding of the importance of relations among regional
people will prevail over some pretensions. “By joint efforts and
compromise in negotiations many accumulated questions should be
resolved,” he said.
According to Kocharian, conflicts affect negatively on the whole
region and everything should be done so that they do not flare up.
According to him, there are different conflicts at different phases
of development . Conflict elements in South Ossetia are difficult to
control. The situation is different in Nagorno Karabakh. There is a
strict border line, military forces on both sides, there are no units
or actions which are out of control, violating the regime of cease
fire would result from a decision by one side to break it. According
to Armenian president, the situation is different in North Ossetia.
Here the sides should demonstrate political willingness so that the
conflict does not develop into a war.
V. Putin added that he has conferred on Karabakh conflict
resolution with president Kocharian, mentioning that they discussed
alternative solutions, preservation of dialogue and resolution of the
conflict. He mentioned that it is important to note that both sides
try to find a solution from the situation and president of both
countries have similar aspirations. According to him, the clew is
difficult and compromises should be looked for. V. Putin noted that
Russia will play a role of peaceful mediator, of coarse, in case of
consent by the sides.
Responding to the question what are the ways to bring trade
economic relations into adequacy and to what level conflicts affect
economic relations, Putin indicated the example of Armenal and the
present challenges which are connected with the lack of communication
routs. According to him, as soon as the situation in Trans Caucasus
becomes tense, transport of goods and people also become difficult.
There are no communication routs between Russia and Armenia,
therefore the sides go to modernization efforts which asks for
additional investment capital. Although this is a positive phenomenon
for Armenia, it also indicates that economic cooperation becomes more
difficult when conflicts are not resolved.
Robert Kocharian said the meeting is a new boost to
Armenian-Russian bilateral relations. There are a number of tasks
that president Kocharian will assign to his ministers. President
Putin has already contacted with the head of Russian government,
minister of finance and several other ministers to settle a number of
concrete issues on the spot.
The sides also decided on Russian co chair candidacy of
Armenian-Russian intergovernmental committee who will be Russian
minister of Transport Igor Levitin.
Robert Kocharian invited president Putin to visit Armenian at the
beginning of next year which Russian president accepted with great
delight.