ARMENIA PRESIDENT: CLOSE COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA A KEY COMPONENT OF OUR SECURITY
19:04, 18.03.2015
YEREVAN. – Armenia’s foreign policy has always been based on the
principle of complementarity of different systems and accommodation
of the interests of great powers involved in the region, President
Serzh Sargsyan said in his address to the participants of “At the
Foot of Ararat” media forum.
“Joining the CSTO, the Republic of Armenia has simultaneously enhanced
its cooperation with NATO, by contributing to the strengthening of
international peace and security through its participation in the
peace-keeping missions. Our country has developed and continues to
develop allied strategic partnership with Russia. The Armenian-Russian
allied inter-State relations are anchored in the close historical
ties that existed between the two nations. The close collaboration
with the RF is a key component of our security, economic development
and stability. The RF is Armenia’s largest trade partner: in 2014,
our trade accounted for more than 1.4 billion dollars, there are 1.3
thousand enterprises with Russian capital in Armenia and the amount
of Russian investments in our economy have exceeded three billion
dollars. I am confident that for very many persons sitting in the
hall these numbers seem small and ridiculous, but believe me that for
a small state and a small economy such as Armenia these numbers are
extremely important. We cooperate with Russia in different sectors
– energy, infrastructure, industry etc. According to non-official
data, there are around 2 million Armenians living in the RF. We also
continue to deepen our collaboration with the RF within the framework
of international organizations – the Eurasian Economic Union, CIS
and CSTO. We attach great importance to the Russia’s efforts aimed
at a peaceful settlement of the NK conflict within the framework of
the OSCE Minsk Group.
Our foreign policy is also aimed at reinforcement of our friendly
partnership with the US and of the special relationship with France.
Since independence, Armenian-American relations have continued to
develop dynamically. Currently our bilateral agenda includes various
sectors – political, economic, human, security and other dimensions –
in which we have been making further progress year to year.
I must express my content with the fact that owing to mutual efforts
our partnership has now reached its highest level in the history of
Armenian-American relations. The reciprocal visits at various levels
conducted in the recent years bear testimony to this.
We highly appreciate long-standing US support for the RA’s economic
development, multi-sectoral reforms, consolidation of democracy and
civil society, which pursue the objective to strengthen our statehood.
We also place great value on the US role in the maintenance of security
and stability in the region, especially on its active involvement in
the peaceful settlement of the NK problem.
Armenia is very keen on continuing interstate relations based on
shared values and the age-old friendship between the Armenian
and French peoples. We value the achievements embellishing our
interstate relations during the last two decades, which involve regular
promotion of political, economic, cultural, scientific and educational
cooperation, and effective implementation of the assistance programs.
The consistent and concerted efforts in the relations between Armenia
and France have resulted in a crucial haven, special relations we
enjoy. France’s role is invaluable both in the condemnation and
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the highest
level, and in the peaceful resolution of the NK conflict within the
framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.
Of course, deepening and broadening of our traditionally friendly
partnerships with neighboring countries, particularly, with the Islamic
Republic of Iran and Georgia are top priorities for our country.
We highly appreciate our mutually beneficial and multifaceted
cooperation with Iran, which is rooted in historical and cultural
similarities, reciprocal economic interests and in common approaches
to a number of regional issues.
The multifaceted relationship between Armenia and Iran is maintained
at the high level. This is testified by our active and high-level
political contacts, and agreements reached therein pertaining to the
effective implementation of joint political, economic and humanitarian
projects.
We are closely following the negotiations between the Islamic Republic
of Iran and the P5+1 over Iran’s nuclear program. We wish the issue to
be resolved as soon as possible, and the settlement to be acceptable to
all the parties. We are hopeful that the agreements that have already
been achieved will result in a comprehensive settlement of this issue.
I must express my content with the fact that in recent years
the high-level contacts between Armenia and Georgia have tangibly
intensified. Our active interstate dialogue rooted in the traditional,
historical and good-neighborly friendship and mutual understanding
between our peoples establishes serious prerequisites to outline
new dimensions in our partnership. As a result, we are building
effective mechanisms to swiftly address any issue on our current
bilateral agenda.
We have always attached great importance to Georgia’s role not only in
the development of our bilateral relations, but also in strengthening
and maintaining security in the South Caucasus.”
From: A. Papazian
http://news.am/eng/news/257681.html#sthash.8LFNzCmt.dpuf