RUSSIA’S MAIN INTEREST IN THE REGION IN STABILITY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
22.06.2009 13:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian-Russian relations can be characterized
as good, Armenia is a strategic partner for Russian Federation,
Andrey Kelin, director of the forth department of the RF foreign
ministry said at the "Armenia at the crossroads of communications"
conference. According to him, it was particularly reflected during the
global financial crisis, when RF allocated a $500 million stabilization
credit to Armenia. "Russian capital ‘feels comfortable’ in Armenia,
we have many joint ventures, we actively cooperate in the energy
sphere, particularly in nuclear energy," he said.

"The decision of Armenia not take part in NATO military exercises
in Georgia was welcomed by Russia. It re-approves our strategic
relationship. Russia’s main interest is in stability, in that respect
we cooperate with Azerbaijan, as well. As opposed to Yerevan, Baku
does not participate in integration processes, authored by Russia,"
Mr.Kelin said.

The Russian diplomat also stressed, that Moscow welcomes Turkey’s
initiative related to Security and Stability Platform in the
Caucasus. "We are not aware of the further development of the
Armenian-Turkish relations, but in any case Moscow welcomes that
step and believes that it will become one of the ways to strengthen
regional stability. Simultaneously, normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations must not contradict to Nagorno Karbakh settlement, these
two processes should go concurrently. If some day there will be a
breakthrough in Nagorno Karabakh issue, it will become a stabilizing
factor in the region," Andrey Kelin stressed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress