RUSSIA-ARMENIA FRIENDLY RELATIONS ARE ON THE RISE – LAVROV

ITAR-TASS
Oct 29 2009
Russia

YEREVAN, October 29 (Itar-Tass) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov believes that "traditionally friendly relations" between Russia
and Armenia "are on the rise today." He said this in a message of
greetings to the participants and guests of the second industrial
exhibition "Expo- Russia Armenia 2009" that opened in Yerevan on
Thursday.

These relations are based on "a firm foundation of strategic
partnership and alliance, principles of mutual advantage and respect
for national interests," the Russian minister stressed in the message
which was voiced by ambassador of Russia to Armenia Vyacheslav
Kovalenko.

"The peoples of Russia and Armenia have been always connected by
spiritual closeness, close mutual interaction of cultures, feelings of
mutual sympathy," Lavrov noted. "Trade and economic ties dynamically
develop, trade turnover stably grows, Russian investments play ever
more weighty role in the development of key sectors of the Armenian
economy."

"An important role in the strengthening of Russian-Armenian
interaction belongs to such forums as "Expo-Russia Armenia,"
the minister noted. According to him, this exposition is aimed to
"give an opportunity to representatives of state agencies, business
circles, civil society to exchange experience, agree on new mutually
advantageous projects."

The Russian foreign minister "is confident that the exhibition will
make its contribution to the efforts of deepening all-round cooperation
between Russia and Armenia, will promote the raising of well-being
of our peoples."