ANDREY NESTERENKO: ARMENIA, RUSSIA MAINTAIN TOP-LEVEL DIALOGUE

news.am
Jan 11 2010
Armenia

During RF Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Armenia the
sides will focus their attention on the further negotiations for
the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the context of
Russia’s mediation, Sergey Nesterenko, official representative of
the RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated today. He pointed out
that the sides also plan to discuss topical foreign policy issues,
bilateral cooperation and situation in the South Caucasus.

"Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be on a working visit
to Armenia at the host country’s invitation. During his visit Lavrov
is to hold a meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and have
talks with Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian," Nesterenko said.

Speaking of the development of bilateral relations, Nesterenko
pointed out progress in many fields. "The sides are maintaining
top-level dialogue, evidence thereof is their mutual intention to
develop partnership," he said. In this context Nesterenko pointed out
regular bilateral presidential meetings last year. According to him,
a contractual basis of the bilateral relations is being formed now.

Nesterenko said that, despite the global crisis, Russian-Armenian
trade, economic, politico-military, humanitarian as well as regional
cooperation is developing.

"Armenia’s trade and economic cooperation with Russia, which remains
leading trade and economic partner of Armenia, contributes to social
and economic stabilization in the country. Specifically, last June
Russia issued a long-term government loan, U.S. $500m, to Armenia.

Join large-scale investment energy and transport projects are
consistently implemented," Nesterenko said. Official Moscow welcomes
foreign policy cooperation with Armenia as part of integration within
the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Nesterenko said that
Russia hopes for further cooperation.