Russia, Armenian presidents to continue talks on Friday

ITAR-TASS, Russia
March 25 2005

YEREVAN, March 25 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Vladimir Putin
and his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan will continue talks on
Friday and will focus on the whole range of bilateral relations.

“Priority will be given to the state and prospects of trade and
economic cooperation – projects in power-engineering, non-ferrous
metallurgy, banking sphere, construction and transport, implementation
of the “property-for-debt” agreement, increased military-technical
cooperation”, a Kremlin official said.

“An important place will be occupied by issues of humanitarian
cooperation, enhanced contacts between the citizens of both countries,
interaction of public organizations, strengthening of the role and
significance of the Russian language in Armenia and the Armenian
language in Russia”, he added.

Besides, the presidents will “synchronize their watches” regarding
such important problems, as the fight against terrorist and extremist
threats, ensuring security and stability in the Caucasus, the solution
of regional problems.

“Specific attention will be paid to the interaction of both countries
in reforming the CIS, to mutually advantageous participation of Russia
and Armenia in EurAsEC and ODKB (Collective Security Treaty)”, the
official said.

Putin and Kocharyan will also open the Year of Russia in Armenia.
“This large-scale event corresponds to the traditional friendly ties,
cultural and spiritual closeness of both peoples”, according to the
Kremlin official.

The Year of Russia envisages over 120 events in political, economic,
humanitarian, scientific and technical spheres.

The Russian president will also visit Echmiadzin to meet Armenian
Catholicos Garegin the Second. “The leaders of Russia and Armenia
render all-round assistance to the development of cooperation between
the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church”,
the Kremlin official said.