ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: YEAR OF ARMENIA BECAME A NEW STAGE IN HISTORY OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS
Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006
SAINT PETERSBURG, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Official closure ceremony
of Year of Armenia in Russian Federation took place in the evening of
December 2 at the Yekaterinskaya Palace of Saint Petersburg. RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian and First Vice-Chairman of RF Government
Dmitry Medvedev made speeches at the ceremony. The latter in his speech
emphasized the high level of Year of Armenia in Russia. "We once more
made sure that the Armenian people is very talented, it subtly feels
the art, takes care of values and achievements of culture, science
and education," D.Medvedev said. At the same time, he emphasized that
Armenian and Russian peoples kept the experience of tolerance between
different nations for many centuries, and today no manifestations of
xenophobia can exist in the two peoples’ cooperation. "Unfortunately,
we come across such hideous manifestations lately, but I am convinced
that such ideas cannot find support in Russia where 160 nations live,"
the First RF Vice-Prime Minister said. M.Margarian in his turn said
that Year of Armenia in Russia became a new stage in the history of
Armenian-Russian relations. He expressed the hope that Year of Armenia
gave Russians the opportunity to reveal Armenia with its potential
and abilities. In the Prime Minister’s words, the events organized
within the framework of the year gave the opportunity to enrich
many-sided Armenian-Russian cooperation, opened good prospects for
mutually beneficial unification of trade and economic, educational,
scientific and cultural potential. "In the modern world, together
with political relations, economic relations are also the basis of
mutually beneficial long-term partnership.
Russia is the biggest trade and economic partner of Armenia. At the
same time, I would like to mention that there is unused potential
in this sphere and active mutual steps should be taken in this
direction. We attach primary importance to development of further
cooperation with Russia in such spheres as energy, metallurgy,
transport, chemistry, etc," A.Margarian said. He also mentioned that
the biggest Armenian Diaspora lives in Russia. It was formed during
centuries. In A.Margarian’s words, in all periods of history Armenians
made a contribution to establishment and development of the Russian
state as far as possible, in which there were all conditions for
keeping the national originality, language and culture. "We are sure
that problems and aspirations of our compatriots in Russia continue to
be in the focus of attention of the Russian leadership. Exclusion of
any manifestation of national intolerance is an issue of responsibility
of all of us. In this context we are too anxious about cases of
violence towards our compatriots in RF. Armenians in Russia just like
Russians in Armenia are bearers of centuries-old traditions, the bridge
of friendship between the two countries we should strengthen and keep
with all possible means," RA Prime Minister emphasized. According to
the report submitted to Noyan Tapan from RA government Information
and Public Relations Department, in connection with closure of Year
of Armenia a concert was held at the Yekaterinskaya Palace and a
reception on behalf of RA Prime Minister at the Gilded Hall, which
was concluded with fireworks.