NALBANDIAN, LAVROV HELD LONG AND PRODUCTIVE TALKS

news.am
Jan 14 2010
Armenia

Lavrov-Nalbandian meeting was quite long and took place in the
atmosphere of mutual understanding, the FMs said at the press
conference.

Nalbandian underlined that they discussed implementation of bilateral
programs in a friendly atmosphere and arrived at satisfactory
conclusions. "We also touched upon further prospects on strategic
partnership expansion and intensification of economic cooperation. I
expressed gratitude to my Russian counterpart for allocation of
$500m long term credit to Armenia," Nalbandian stated and thanked
Russia for constructive approach to Karabakh peace process as well
as Armenia-Turkey reconciliation.

Lavrov informed that this is his first official visit in 2010 and
symbolically he paid it to friendly Armenia. Russian FM outlined that
Russian-Armenian strategic partnership is on the high level and both
countries’ Presidents set the tone for all. Minister expressed content
with the level of political-economic as well as military-strategic
cooperation. "We closely cooperate in military-strategic sphere
and in frames of CSTO," he stated. The issues on cooperation within
international organizations and Armenia’s collaboration with NATO
were also in focus of the talks.

Speaking of humanitarian field, Lavrov informed that Russian-Armenian
innovation center will open in Armenia in a month. "We reached
agreement on cooperation between MGIMO-University and Armenian
diplomatic school," he added. FM also thanked Armenian authorities for
the opening of monument to Russian soldiers killed in Russian-Turkish
war in the city of Gyumri.