Trade between Russia and Armenia is growing, it is necessary to maintain the progress, as well as cooperation between the two countries in all directions, the Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during the meeting with the Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Tass informed.

Greeting Pashinyan in the Kremlin, Putin said it is the first visit of the acting prime minister to Russia since the victory of his party in the national elections.

“We would like to wish you good luck, success in implementing all programs that you have assigned to your team for the sake of Armenia and for the sake of the wellbeing of the Armenian people,” the Russian president said.

“Our relations need not be described, they are genuine relations of allies which are highly meaningful,” the Russian President said. He said, in particular, that Russia continues to rate number one among the foreign economic partners of Armenia. Bilateral trade grew by 30% in 2017.

“In the past nine months of this year [trade] increased by another 17.5%. Progress is good, it must be maintained,” the Russian president said. According to him, Moscow is ready to do everything it can to maintain the same level of relations with Yerevan, not only in the economic sector but also in other directions, particularly security.

On the whole, we have a rich, saturated agenda,” Vladimir Putin concluded.

During the meeting Putin said that Moscow and Yerevan must cooperate in the sphere of security in CSTO and other integration unions.

In his turn, Pashinyan reiterated the commitment of Armenia to develop relations in all directions with Russia, is positive about integration in the EEU. He invited Putin to Armenia for an official visit in 2019. “We will also expect you in Armenia next year for an official visit, and it will be pleasant for us too,” Pashinyan stated during the meeting in the Kremlin.