Putin-Kocharyan meeting begins in Yerevan

ITAR-TASS, Russia
March 25 2005

YEREVAN, March 25 (Itar-Tass) — A meeting of Russian President
Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has just begun
here. It is taking place in a presidential palace in Yerevan, which,
according to the law, is an official working residence of Armenian
presidents.

Kocharyan welcomed the honoured guest on the threshold of the palace.
The two presidents went to the Golden Hall, where meetings with
foreign statesmen visiting Armenia and with foreign ambassadors after
the presentation of credentials are usually held.

The three-storeyed palace was built in 1958 on the design of Mark
Grigoryan, merited architect of Armenia and winner of the National
Prizes of the USSR and Armenia (1900-1978). The palace housed the
Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the republic up to 1991. Late in
the 80s the palace was rebuilt, and its floor space was increased.

After the property of the Communist Party was nationalised in 1990,
the parliament moved to the palace of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Armenia, situated in front of the palace designed
by Grigoryan. The Grigoryan palace was given to Armenian presidents
as their residence. The post of president was instituted in Armenia
in May 1990, and the first presidential elections were held in October
1991. By that time a metal fence was built around the palace.

The palace, built in the style of classicism, with elements of
traditional Armenian architecture, is not quite suitable for the work
of the presidential staff, which is not numerous. There are many
official premises there. A press conference of Putin and Kocharyan
will be held in one of the halls of the palace on Friday afternoon.

A special ground for official welcoming ceremonies with the
participation of the guard of honour was created in the yard of
the palace.