Russian, Armenian leaders to discuss trade, energy, Caucasus

16:29 | 19/ 10/ 2008

MOSCOW, October 19 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
will discuss trade, energy and the South Caucasus situation with his
Armenian counterpart during a visit to Armenia October 20-21, a Kremlin
source said on Sunday.

Medvedev will pay an official visit to Armenia on the invitation of
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. The visit aims to strengthen the
relations of strategic partnership between Russia and Armenia, the
Kremlin source said.

Bilateral trade and economic cooperation will top the agenda of talks
between the Russian and Armenian leaders, the Kremlin source said.

"Bilateral trade grew 13%, year-on-year, in the first eight months of
2008 to $536.5 million. Russia is a leading trade partner of Armenia
and holds leading positions in terms of investment in the Armenian
economy, with accrued investment from Russia topping $1.6 billion from
1991 to July 1, 2008," the Kremlin source said.

The parties will also focus on joint energy projects and the industrial
development of uranium deposits in Armenia, the source said.

At their talks in Yerevan, the Russian and Armenian leaders will also
discuss the situation in South Caucasus following Georgia’s recent
attack on breakaway South Ossetia, and other topical international
issues, the Kremlin source said.

Russia recognized South Ossetia along with Abkhazia as independent
states on August 26, two weeks after it forced out Georgian troops that
had tried to retake control of South Ossetia. Tensions remain high in
the region, and Georgia continues to demand that Russia withdraw its
troops from the two republics.