Armenian Public TV
Oct 18 2008

Armenian top official highly praises relations with Russia

[Presenter] In reply to a recent statement made by the Armenian
opposition alleging changes of priorities in Armenia’s foreign policy,
Armenia’s National Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan said
that they are obvious speculations. He said that the Armenian-Russian
relations have been established on firm grounds. The Russian
president’s forthcoming visit to Armenia testifies to this, he added.

[Baghdasaryan] The Armenian-Russian relations are at the highest
level. Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev’s official visit to Armenia
on 20 October once again proves this. There are about 170
intergovernmental and interstate agreements between Armenia and
Russia. More than 1,000 Russian enterprises are currently operating in
Armenia and more than 70 Russian regions are cooperating with the
Republic of Armenia. Thus cooperation between Armenia and Russia is at
the highest level and we cooperate in the military and political
spheres within the framework of the CIS. The Collective Security
Treaty Organization is currently chaired by Armenia where a number of
military and political projects are being implemented.

The second speculation is about the Karabakh peace process. Our
position is clear – mutual understanding is more important than
sensible confrontation. Neither Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan nor
the Armenian government is going to make concession to [Azerbaijan] on
the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.

Third it is about our relations with the European structures. Armenia
is pursuing a consistent policy to expand its relations with the
European structures. The interdepartmental commission that was set up
on an instruction from the Armenian president proves this. We
currently cooperate successfully with European institutions. Thus, I
assess the domestic policy situation [in Armenia] as normal and all
projects offered by the Armenian president are successfully being
implemented.

[translated]