WITHOUT SETTLING TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS OTHER ISSUES OF ARMENIA-RUSSIA PARTNERSHIP ARE SENSELESS
By A. Harutiunian

AZG Armenian Daily
12/04/2007

"Problems cannot be avoided, especially among friends," said deputy
Prime Minister of Russia Sergey Ivanov during a joint press conference
with Serge Sarkisian, the Armenian Prime Minister. The problems,
as he said, are mainly referring to the Russian enterprises on
the territory of Armenia. Nevertheless Ivanov stated progress in
the relations between the two states and noted that Russia is the
first biggest investor into the economy of Armenia. He said that in
spite of the rather complicated situation in the region the problems
of Armenian-Russian partnership are on the way of being resolved,
particularly the problem of transport communications.

Serge Sarkisian also emphasized the transportation problem and said
that 200% growth of commodity circulation between Armenia and Russia
is insufficient and the indicator is still to be increased. On the
way of solving the transportation problem the Russian deputy Foreign
Minister emphasized the implementation of the Caucasus-Poti ferry
railway. "Without settling transportation problems other issues of
Armenia-Russia partnership are senseless," he added.

The Prime Minister of Armenia emphasized the question of automobile
vehicle transportation, as for example, each summer 10 thousand tons
of apricots are exported from Armenia to Russia. Although the ferry
will soon be ready for exploitation, the question of the Abkhazian
railway and the Upper Lars checkpoint remains unsettled.

In connection with the soon election both in Armenia and Russia
Mr. Sarkisian said that pre-election activity takes much time
and efforts of the political powers and slackens the work of the
executive branch of the government. He noted that on the other hand
the elections are the culmination point of political activity and
each political power is trying its best to work more effectively on
the eve of elections.

Sergey Ivanov stated that Armenia is a strategic partner of Russia
and is its outpost in the South. He said that Russian military bases
in Armenia serve to the benefit of both the sates. He underlined
that the activity of Russian foreces in Armenia is by no means aimed
against any third state.

In an interview to "Financial Times" Serge Sarkisian said that Armenia
has no intention of hosting NATO bases yet. On the interview with
Sergey Ivanov he a little detailed that statement: "New borderlines in
our region will be of no benefit for our security system. Moreover,
Russia is reducing its forces in Armenia. And others are not to
increase their own forces while Russie decreases".