RUSSIA’S PM VISITS ARMENIA FEB 5-6

Kommersant
Feb 5 2008
Russia

Russia’s Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov goes on a two-day official
visit to Armenia February 5 on invitation of his Armenian counterpart
Serge Sarkisyan. In Armenia, Zubkov will also meet President Robert
Kocharyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, spokesman of
Russia’s government’s press service said.

A source with Russia’s delegation reminded that Armenia holds
presidential elections February 19, while a new president of Russia
will be elected March 2. "We assume that succession in power will
be preserved after elections of presidents and the dialogue of our
states will develop further," the source said, adding that the current
prime minister is the obvious frontrunner to the president’s office
in Armenia.

Economic cooperation, mostly the advance of its trading and investment
components, will be another highlight at the talks, the source pointed
out. Russia’s-Armenian turnover exceeded $0.7 billion in 2007 and
the trading, including both import and export, was gaining 60 percent
each year in the past two years.

Russia’s Gazprom, RAO UES of Russia, RZD, ALROSA, RUSAL, AFK Sistema,
VimpelCom, Bank VTB work successfully in Armenia. "Russia meets gas
requirements of Armenia in whole and the contracts have been made
till 2009," the source emphasized.

According to the source, Armenia’s proposal to construct a refinery
in its territory is being currently deliberated; the project involves
Russia and Iran. "The deliberations are at the very initial stage,
there are lots of issues, including the supplies of crude oil,"
the official said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress