PUTIN CONGRATULATES ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ON BIRTHDAY

ITAR-TASS News Agency
August 31, 2007 Friday 11:55 PM EST
Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory message to
Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan on the occasion of his birthday,
the Kremlin official website said on Friday.

"I warmly recall our recent meeting in Sochi, when we fruitfully
discussed vital aspects of our multifaceted cooperation," Putin says
in the message.

The Russian leader pointed to Kocharyan’s personal contribution to
the dynamic development of the Russian-Armenian relations, which
helps to bring them to a new level of the strategic partnership.

"I am confident that Russian-Armenian close cooperation, which is based
on deep-rooted historical traditions of friendship, will enhance for
the interests of our peoples," Putin stressed.

The Russian president wished Kocharyan "good health, creativity and
further successes in all his endeavors and initiatives for the benefit
of Armenian people."