Armenia’s PM to attend Turkmen president’s funeral
by: Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
December 22, 2006 Friday

Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margarian will represent his country
at the funeral of Turkmenistan’s leader Saparmurat Niyazov. He is
flying to Ashgabat with a government delegation later on Saturday.

Last Thursday Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian on behalf of the
Armenian people and on his own behalf offered condolences to the
government of Turkmenistan over Niyazov’s death.

"Armenia responded with feeling of deep sadness to the news of
President Saparmurat Niyazov’s premature death," the presidential
press-service said.

"Niyazov was the one who promoted the emergence of independent
Turkmenistan and remained its leader throughout the years. We
appreciate his contribution to strengthening and developing
Armenian-Turkmen relations," the Armenian president said, adding he
was certain that the people of Turkmenistan would keep exerting every
effort for the sake of their country’s prosperity, firmer statehood
and independence.