Mironov’s visit to Armenia is a new step in bilateral relations

Mironov’s visit to Armenia is a new step in bilateral relations

03.10.2004, 23.41

YEREVAN, October 3 (Itar-Tass) — An official visit of Federation
Council Chairman Sergei Mironov to Armenia, which ended on Sunday, was
a new phase in Russian-Armenian relations, sources in the Russian
delegation and Armenia told Itar-Tass.

Russia and Armenia are political partners and allies, Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan and Mironov said. The interlocutors
discussed the entire range of bilateral relations during the visit.

The sides think that economic cooperation is lagging behind political
dialog. They discussed negative consequences of the closure of the
Russian-Georgian border on the Armenian economy.

Cargo transit via Georgia is a concern of Armenia, which does not
border on Russia. The Verkhny Lars checkpoint is the only motorway
between Armenia and Russia. `We discussed possible solutions to the
problem, bearing inmind our partnership with Armenia,’ Mironov said.

A joint declaration signed by Mironov and Armenian Parliament Speaker
Artur Bagdasaryan provides for legislative steps in the anti-terrorist
fight.

`Not only Russia but also all countries of this unique land of plenty
need stability in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia,’ Mironov told
servicemen of a Russian regiment stationed in Yerevan. `You are one of
the outpostsof security on Russian southern boundaries,’ he said.