KOCHARIAN AND PUTIN CONSIDER CIS A ‘USEFUL CLUB’

Azg/arm
26 March 05

Putin Officially Opened ‘Year of Russia in Armenia’

At a joint press conference on March 25 Armenian and Russian presidents
labeled the CIS a “useful club” and a “good tribune for solving
practical issues”. The presidents agreed that the CIS has to keep
functioning though said that hopes hope pinned on the Commonwealth
were not justified.

Robert Kocharian and Vladimir Putin think it’s meaningless drawing
parallels between the CIS and the EU. “If the states within the EU
work together in direction of unity then the CIS was formed for a
civilized divorce”, Putin said.

The Russian President reminded that the CIS never pursued major goals
in economical sphere. “If anyone is expecting that CIS will have
special achievements in economic, political and military cooperation
than he will be disappointed as there was none and could not be”,
he said.

“I think that the CIS should remain. Everybody is interested in it
regardless the authorities in power. There are always issues to be
solved, and people expect that they will be solved”, Putin said.

“The CIS is a good tribune for settling practical issues. We should be
glad to have such a tribune as there are always issues and problems
that need to be discussed and solved. At every CIS summit I meet at
least my three colleagues and it yields its results”, Kocharian said.

As it is known, the Russian President arrived in Yerevan to officially
open “The Year of Russia in Armenia”. After a meeting behind the
closed doors the presidents told that they discussed bilateral economic
issues, regional and international issues including the Karabakh issue.

In particular, Putin stated that Russia is ready together with
all other partner states to help the peaceful settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh issue. “We are looking forward to the next meeting of Armenian
and Azerbaijani presidents and hope that it will be productive”,
he said.

Speaking of the Armenian-Russian economic relations, Putin underscored
the importance of launching Kovkas-Poti ferry passage that will open
vast perspectives for the Armenian and Russian businessmen. “We hope
that this line will be beneficial for all the countries of the region”,
Putin said.

The Armenian President highlighted the transport sphere in the
Armenian-Russian economic relations. “We certainly need time for
setting tariffs and prices in order to open the Kovkas-Poti passage.
But I am sure that its exploitation will open broader perspectives”,
Kocharian said.

By Tatoul Hakobian