ARMENIA ASKS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM RUSSIA

The Messenger
Dec 17 2008
Georgia

The Armenian media states that the recent visit of Prime Minister
Tigran Sarkisian to Moscow was undertaken for one major reason, to
ask Russia for USD 200 million in assistance to help it overcome the
problems created in Armenia by the world financial crisis. Prior to
this visit Armenia widely disseminated the idea of coordinating moves
to overcome the crisis with Russia.

Armenia did not receive the money. Russian Premier Putin underlined
that Russia has already invested USD 1.6 billion in Armenia. Armenia
tries to acquire assistance from the World Bank as well but this
process will take several months. There was hope in Armenia that
either plan would be successful.