RUSSIAN PRESIDENT ELECT WELCOMES ARMENIAN COUNTERPART AT KREMLIN

ARKA
March 24, 2008

YEREVAN, March 24. /ARKA/. Moscow sees a special symbol in that
Armenia’s president elect paid his first visit abroad to Russia,
stated Russian president elect Dmitry Medvedev.

"This is you first visit after the presidential election in Armenia,
as we see a special symbol of significance of Russian-Armenian ties
in it," Medvedev stated while receiving Sargsyan in the Kremlin.

Medvedev congratulated Sargsyan on his victory in the presidential
election.

He expressed hope that Russia and Armenia will be able to continue
their relations, which have developed over the recent years and are
now at a high level.

In turn, Armenia’s president elect expressed hope for further
consolidation of bilateral relations after the two presidents elect
take offices. "You are known and respected in Armenia," Sargsyan
told Medvedev.

"We are ready to build up our relations and do what we consider
achievable," Sargsyan said. Medvedev said that at their negotiations
the sides will focus on immediate plans.

"We are now going to discuss what we are going to do in the near
future," Medvedev said.