ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN PREMIERS DISCUSS VERKHNY LARS CHECKPOINT PROBLEM

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 4 2006

YEREVAN, December 4. /ARKA/. Armenian and Russian Premiers Andranik
Margaryan and Mikhail Fradkov discussed the problem of the closed
checkpoint in Verkhny Lars. The RA Premier pointed out that this
caused serious losses to Armenia’s economic entities this summer.

Margaryan pointed out the importance of organizing transportation
by means of the Novorosiysk-Poti-Novorosiysk ferry service. He
also drew Premier Fradkov’s attention to the commissioning of the
Caucasus-Poti-Caucasus train-ferry service, pointing out that Armenia
is interested in the construction being completed as soon as possible.

Margaryan also pointed out that Armenian-Russian economic cooperation
is based on direct contacts between Armenian and Russian enterprises.

According to him, a relevant contractual basis has recently actively
been formed.

An Armenian Premier-headed delegation went to Moscow on November 30 to
take part in the official closing of the Year of Armenia in Russia. On
December 1, 2006, the Armenian Premier held a meeting with his Russian
counterpart Mikahil Fradkov. The following day Premier Margaryan went
to Saint Petersburg to take part in the opening of the "History of
Armenia" exhibition at the Hermitage. The same day Margaryan took part
in the official closing of the Year of Armenia in Russia.