Interfax -
Aug 3 2018

Russia expects Armenia to further contribute to relief operation in Syria

YEREVAN. Aug 3

Russia expects Armenia to take further practical steps to contribute
to the humanitarian operation in Syria, Russian Deputy Defense
Minister Col. Gen. Alexander Fomin said at a meeting with Armenian
Foreign Minister Zograb Mnatsakanyan.

"We are grateful to you for supporting Russia's efforts aimed at
restoring peaceful life in Syria and providing aid to the people of
this country. Armenia has already sent humanitarian aid four times,
and we have a vast record of interaction with the Armenian side,"
Fomin said.

"Armenia is our ally and key partner in the South Caucasus. Our
cooperation both in the bilateral format and within international
structures, primarily the CSTO [Collective Security Treaty
Organization], has been successful," he said, adding that Russia has
been doing a great deal to help Armenia bolster its Armed Forces.

Mnatsakanyan, for his part, reaffirmed that Armenia's foreign policy,
which includes cooperation within the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic
Union - remains unchanged.

Bilateral cooperation between Russia and Armenia consists of several
avenues, with a focus on security, he said.

"And we now have a new sphere of cooperation - Syria, which
historically has been home to a large Armenian community," the
Armenian foreign minister said.

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