Russian Foreign Ministry on Russia’s relations with Armenia
By Vassily Deyev

ITAR-TASS News Agency
March 24, 2005 Thursday

MOSCOW, March 24 — Relations between Russia and Armenia have taken
on the character of strategic partnership in recent years and their
dynamics is encouraging, Alexander Yakovenko, the ministry’s official
spokesman said on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit
to Armenia.

“We have developed a practice of holding regular meetings between
the two countries’ officials, and bilateral contacts are marked by
the spirit of trustworthiness,” Yakovenko said.

“Fruitful cooperation between Russia and Armenia has a solid
legislative foundation – the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and
Mutual Assistance and almost 160 inter-state and inter-governmental
agreements and declarations,” he said.

The two countries have named 2005 the Year of Russia and Armenia,
and in 2006 Russia will host the Year of Armenia.

“Exchange of reciprocal programs like the year of one country in
another country always envisions many large-scale events,” said
Yakovenko.

“Our nations are bonded by friendship that has lasted centuries
and hase stood the test of time and historic battles [with common
enemies],” he said.

“It’s quite symbolic that the Year of Russia in Armenia has begun
on the eve of the 60th anniversary of victory in World War II,”
Yakovenko indicated.