Armenian, Georgian presidents note importance of personal contacts

Arminfo, Yerevan
22 Aug 05

[Presenter] Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is paying an
unofficial visit to Armenia. Saakashvili is in Yerevan on holiday at
the invitation of the Armenian president [Robert Kocharyan]. He will
also discuss unofficially the problems that the two neighbouring
countries have.

The presidents discussed regional developments, as well as the
situation in [Georgia’s ethnic Armenian populated] Javakhk region.

[Passage omitted: known details]

[Correspondent over video] Asked by Georgian journalist whether
[Russian President Vladimir] Putin agrees with them that friendly
relations between the Armenian and Georgian presidents will help keep
stability and peace in the region, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
said.

[Kocharyan in Russian] I share the view that personal and friendly
relations between the presidents are important in terms of
establishing favourable relations between the sides. As far as I know,
Putin also attaches great importance to personal relations and
personal contacts. I struck up a close friendship with him.

I believe that it is a good sign that we have established not only
political but also friendly relations with Georgia.

We expect that relations between the presidents will also transfer our
relations into contacts between ordinary people. Relations between
ordinary people can form as a result of contacts. By contacts, I mean
tourism, mutual visits, business and other common interests. We should
preserve and expand what our peoples have achieved.

[Passage omitted: known details]

The Georgian president expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity
to have a two-day holiday in Armenia before returning to his country.
From: Baghdasarian