LAVROV VISIT TO YEREVAN TIMED TO 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLM TIES

Itar-Tass News Agency, Russia
March 14 2007

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Armenia slated for
April 3-4 is timed to the 15th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between the two countries, Russian Ambassador
in Yerevan Nikolai Pavlov said.

The purpose of the visit "is to confirm Russia’s commitment to
strategic partnership with Armenia", the ambassador said on Wednesday.

During the visit, Lavrov will have meetings with Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan, Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan and Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanyan. The Russian minister will give a speech at Yerevan
State University, the Russian ambassador stressed.

Russia recognised Armenia’s independence on December 18, 1991. April
3, 1992 is the day of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between the two countries. "This is one more date in the history
of Russian-Armenian relations, which remount to Ancient Russia,"
the ambassador said.

"Then the coincidence of geopolitical interests of both states
determines their wish to establish ally relations between our countries
and bring them to the level of strategic partnership," the ambassador
pointed out. Now it is based on the solid legal foundation and includes
over 160 international agreements and treaties.

"Relations between Russia and Armenia are considered ally and dynamic,"
the Russian ambassador added.