YEREVAN INTENDS TO DEEPEN RELATIONS WITH MOSCOW – PRESIDENT
Interfax News Agency
July 21 2008
Russia
Yerevan wishes to establish closer relations with Russia, Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan told a Monday press conference in Yerevan."We
have the best relations possible," he said. "Certain opponents,
which indicate certain problems, have the best intentions. They wish
further improvement of our relations," he added.
"We wish to deepen relations with Russia even more. I am certain
that the planned Yerevan visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
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Sargsyan said.
We have not only a good past and present, but I am also aware of a
brilliant future. We have close positions on many issues: this makes
Armenian-Russian cooperation in international structures much easier,
the president said.
Commenting on relations between Moscow and Baku, Sargsyan said: I see
no serious problem about the improvement of Azeri-Russian relations.
We cannot demand that our neighbors should not build relations with
the countries, which we do not have friendly ties with. However,
it is important that these relations do not develop at the expense
of Armenian- Russian relations, Sargsyan said speaking about recent
Medvedev’s visit to Baku.
Commenting on the fact that Medvedev recognized Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, the Armenian president noted: No president
of any country can fail to recognize the territorial integrity of
another country, just as he cannot fail to recognize the principle
of nation’s right to self-determination.
Sargsyan also said that Armenia does not fear growing military
expenditures in Azerbaijan.
Our response is as follows: until a peace agreement is signed, at least
two officials – the president and the defense minister – should think
that a war can break out the next day, the Armenian president said.
Sargsyan at the same time noted that there still exist ways of peaceful
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. I had an impression after a meeting
with Azeri President Ilkham Aliyev that peaceful means to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have yet to exhaust themselves. I have an
impression Aliyev is ready to continue the talks. I am also certain
that peaceful resolution of the problem can be secured through talks,
Sargsyan said.
Commenting on criticism against the OSCE Minsk Group activity, he
said: Until Azerbaijan criticizes the activity of the Minsk Group,
we can be calm. This is a small trick of the Azeri side, which wants
the chairmen of the Minsk Group to either soften their position or
satisfy Azerbaijan’s demands, Sargsyan said.
However, this does not promote the peaceful settlement process,
he said.
Armenia is ready to continue the talks and thinks that the format of
the OSCE Minsk Group can lead to a success, Sargsyan said.