ONE OF RUSSIA’S PRIORITIES – RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA – LAVROV

ITAR-TASS, Russia
April 4 2007

YEREVAN, April 4 (Itar-Tass) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
said on Wednesday relations with Armenia is one of Russia’s priorities.

"We believe that stability in the Caucasus depends in many respects on
Armenia’s situation," he told a meeting with students and professors
of the Yerevan State University.

"It is possible to ensure such stability not by means of creating a
certain bloc, but by means of joint efforts," he said.

"Within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization we
do not try to fence off ourselves from others or work against anyone,"
he said.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization is "aimed at stability,
counteraction to terrorism and drugs trafficking and open cooperation
with the countries interested in resolving these tasks," Lavrov said.

He pointed out that Russia is interested in calm on its borders,
stable development of neighbouring countries and "mutually advantageous
and equal cooperation with them proceeding from the interests of our
economies and our countries."