Armenian, Russian leaders open Year of Russia in Yerevan

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
25 Mar 05

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Russian President Vladimir
Putin attended the opening of the Year of Russia in Armenia on
25 March.

At a ceremony held in Yerevan’s Opera and Ballet Theatre and shown
live on Armenian Public TV, Kocharyan welcomed the guests in Russian.

The Armenian president stressed close historical and cultural ties
between the two countries.

“This legacy is an eternal value and a firm basis for current
partnership relations between Armenia and Russia,” Kocharyan said.

Addressing the ceremony, President Putin hailed the current level of
political and economic ties.

“Russia is the main investor and economic partner of Armenia, and
bilateral trade is increasing each year,” Putin said.

Putin also said Russia was interested in the resolution of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which has been
“a serious test for the region”.