INTERNATIONAL PRESS CLUB RUSSIA-ARMENIA INSTITUTED IN MOSCOW

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
March 19, 2007 Monday 04:54 PM EST

An International press club "Russia-Armenia" was instituted here
on Monday.

The Russian Union of Journalists, the Armenian Embassy in Russia,
and the Russian Society of Friendship and Cooperation with Armenia
are the club’s organizers.

The creation of the club was one of the actions timed for the upcoming
celebration of the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
Armenia and the Russian Federation, Armenian Ambassador to Russia Armen
Smbatian stressed in his address, reaffirming that the celebrations
will be held at the beginning of April.

In his words, it is mass media workers who can really facilitate the
development of diplomatic, economic, and cultural contacts between
the two countries.

Also, mass media are destined to play a special role to help our
peoples, specifically young generations, to dismantle stereotypes
and to receive plentiful information, Smbatian said.

Russia and Armenia are linked by centuries-long relations. Currently,
the countries have concluded the more than 160 treaties and agreements,
and they also have a declaration on allied relationship oriented at
objectives the 21st century.

In 2005 and 2006, the two countries exchanged the Year of Russia in
Armenia and Armenia in Russia.

There are 65 secondary schools with in-depth study of Russian language
and 50 classes with tuition in Russian in Armenia. In Yerevan,
some secondary schools are named after writers Alexander Pushkin,
Nikolai Gogol, Maxim Gorky, Anton Chekhov, and Vladimir Mayakovsky.

Smbatian confirmed that Armenians can freely buy Russian newspapers,
magazines and books, and receive Russian federal TV and radio channels
in the territory of Armenia.

The club will develop its activity in various spheres, Smbatian said,
adding that the sides will exchange journalist delegations. One of
them is due to cover the parliamentary election in Armenia, scheduled
for May.

The club’s activity also includes preparation for artistic competitions
and round-tables where the most topical professional issues will
be examined.