PUTIN, SARGSYAN SATISFIED WITH DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS

ITAR-TASS
Jan 29 2009
Russia

DAVOS, January 29 (Itar-Tass) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin had a working meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
on Thursday as part of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Opening the meeting, Putin said he wanted to thank the Armenian
leader for his personnel participation in the recent international
meeting on gas problems that was held in Moscow on President Dmitry
Medvedev’s initiative.

"Both sides benefits this meeting," the Russian prime minister
stressed.

He also expressed satisfaction with the development of Russian-Armenian
relations. "Russia is Armenia’s first trade and economic partner. We
have trusty partnership and a confident political dialogue,"
Putin said.

Sargsyan said it is necessary use any chance for continue the
dialogue. In his words, such necessity "is conditioned by the interests
of our peoples". He also said he is satisfied with the fact that trade
turnover between Russia and Armenia exceeded one billion U.S. dollars
in 2008.