Putin, Kocharyan to discuss relations’ prospects, int’l problems

ITAR-TASS, Russia
March 24 2005

MOSCOW, March 24 (Itar-Tass) – Presidents Vladimir Putin of the
Russian Federation and Robert Kocharyan of Armenia are to meet on
Thursday to discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations,
including agreements on “transfer of property to settle the debt”
and military technical cooperation (MTC). The two leaders are also
to compare their positions on regional problems of current concern,
security in the Caucasus, in particular.

A Kremlin official has pointed out, “The two leaders are to discuss,
as a priority, the state of and prospects for the development of
trade-and-economic cooperation: projects in the fields of energy,
non-ferrous metallurgy, banking, construction, and transport, and
the implementation of the agreement on the transfer of property to
settle the debt, and efforts to give greater scope to MTC”.

“Such items as humanitarian cooperation, the deepening of contacts
between the citizens of the two countries, interaction between public
organisations, and the strengthening of the positions and importance
of the Russian language in Armenia and of the Armenian language in
Russia will figure importantly on the agenda (of the two presidents’
meeting),” the official said.

The leaders of the two countries are to exchange views on a number
of international problems of current concern. “The two presidents are
to compare notes on matters concerning the coordination of efforts in
such major areas as the neutralisation of the threats of international
terrorism and extremism, the ensurance of security and stability in the
Caucasus, and solutions to regional problems,” the Kremlin expert said.

“Special attention will be devoted to the two countries’ interaction
in the reforming of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the
mutually beneficial participation of Russia and Armenia in the Eurasian
Economic Community and in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation,”
the Kremlin official pointed out.