Introductory remarks by President Serzh Sargsyan at the joint press-conference of the Presidents of Armenia and the Russia Mr. President, Distinguished representatives of mass media, Ladies and Gentlemen, We have just concluded our meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev. As you know, President Medvedev and I maintain constant contact and use every opportunity to discuss pressing issues of the Armenian-Russian relations, as well as critical regional and international issues. Since 2008, we have met almost 30 times – in bilateral as well as multilateral settings. However, today’s meeting is very special, because it is taking place during the first ever state visit of the President of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia. My wife and I are greatly honored to welcome in Yerevan President Medvedev and Mrs. Medvedeva, who are not only our personal friends but also friends of our country and the Armenian people. The agenda of our negotiations is full and intense. I would like to begin with the principal issue – the leaders of the two states reiterated mutual desire to further strengthen the Armenian-Russian cooperation. This mindset relates to the strategic interests of our two countries and concerns for the enhanced security and stability on the regional level. Our relations are those of a strategic partnership. They reflect sentiments of our peoples, they stem from the interests of Armenia, and I hope, from Russia’s national and state interests too. Today, as a result of the negotiations, signed were five documents. Among them I would like to particularly highlight the Agreement on the construction of new energy blocks for the Armenian nuclear power station and Protocol on the Amendments to the Agreement on the Russian military base in Armenia. The Protocol not only stipulates prolonged presence of the Russian military base in Armenia but also expands the scope of its geographical and strategic responsibilities. Until now, the actions of the base were limited by the state borders of the former USSR; at present that limitation has been removed from the text of the Agreement. The Russian side has assumed responsibility to jointly provide for the safety of the Republic of Armenia and assist our Armed Forces in augmenting their arsenal with modern weaponry. At the meeting, we exchanged views and ideas regarding the expansion of our trade and economic relations. Despite the fact that the global financial and economic crisis has not receded yet, the turnover between our countries for the first six months of this year has exceeded the indices for the same period last year by 20 percent. It means that we are on the right track, and even in the current situation are able to implement mutually beneficial projects. Russia is the leading foreign investor in the Armenian economy – 60 percent of all foreign investments come from Russia. Only last year Russia invested 500 million USD in the strategic areas of our economy – energy system, communications and transportation. The package of forthcoming investments is also very impressive: It includes a joint project of the construction of the new energy block for the NPS, programs for the development of new infrastructure for communication which will be of regional significance. We have also discussed the international situation, pivotal issues in the South Caucasus region. We have reiterated our readiness to continue to deepen our cooperation in the framework of CSTO, CIS, also EvrAzes, where Armenia has observer status, and certainly in the UN, OSCE, other international and regional structures. We have spoken about the conflicts as well. Armenia’s position on that critical issue is unalterable: We believe that conflicts and crises must be solved exclusively, I repeat, exclusively through peaceful means, excluding use of force or threat to use force, in full compliance with international norms, in the framework of the configurations that have recently come into use. I am grateful to the President of the Russian Federation for his thoughtful approach towards the importance of maintaining balance in the region as an important factor in preventing provocative actions and thwarting military ambitions. This approach totally relates to our position regarding the resolution of the NK conflict. At today’s meeting I expressed gratitude to the Russian Federation and personally to President Medvedev for the considerable contribution and positive role he plays in the settlement of this conflict. You have initiated a number of trilateral meetings of the Presidents of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan. Mr. President, I would like to state publicly once again that we are ready to search for a constructive solution to the issue, on the basis of the proposals presented by you in Saint Petersburg. We have also discussed possibilities of extending ties between our regions and our cooperation in the humanitarian area. It is noteworthy that today we will be attending the ceremony of unveiling the Hill of Honor Memorial in Gyumri, which celebrates the Armenian-Russian brotherhood of arms. It is a momentous event which truthfully reflects the depth of the Armenian-Russian relations. It is praiseworthy that the project has been implemented through the joint efforts of the administrations of Ulyanovsk and Shirak regions. It is yet another example of successful cooperation of the regions. I am confident that the state visit of the President of the Russian Federation will give a new impetus to the development of the strategic partnership of our two countries and will strengthen our cooperation. As always, our meeting has been conducted in the atmosphere of mutual trust and we have had a comprehensive and open dialogue. Thank you very much. Now, it is my pleasure to give the floor to the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev. *** Introductory remarks by President Dmitry Medvedev at the joint press-conference of the Presidents of Armenia and the Russian Federation “This is, indeed, the first state visit of the President of the Russian Federation to Armenia. Let me start by saying that I am truly thankful to my friend and colleague Serzh Sargsyan for the openhearted welcome and cordial meeting, for the warm but not hot weather, for the hospitality which we traditionally enjoy on the Armenian soil. Suffice it to say, that this year we have met many times, I believe, eight times. President Sargsyan has counted the total number of the meetings - they exceed thirty. Such dynamics testify to the special strategic and allied relations of Russia and Armenia, and, of course, warm and amicable relations between the leaders of the two countries. The most important thing is that these close contacts are very instrumental in resolving different issues. I totally agree with President Sargsyan that today’s negotiations have reiterated our common desire to strengthen the Armenian-Russian partnership, to enhance it in all areas – security, economy and humanitarian. We have also noted that last year, after almost a 20 percent decline, the turnover between our two countries has recovered and even somewhat increased. It speaks, in general, of two things: our economies are regaining ground after the crisis, even though in summer there has been new calamities, especially in the area of agriculture, and that there is a strong and dynamic potential for growth. Capital investments are also on the rise, what’s more, the level of mutual capital investments is on the rise. Russia is the greatest foreign investor in the economy of Armenia, and our companies are engaged in almost every sphere of the Armenian economy – energy, transportations, banking system, construction, and communications. The most important thing is that as a result, Armenia not only gets reliable supply of different energy resources - they also bring profit. Today, industrial enterprises, agricultural complex and social structures receive energy with no interruptions. During the negotiations, we discussed with President Sargsyan the possibilities for expanding our cooperation in that area. At the negotiations in the extended format, the important topic was the diversification of mutual trade and cooperation in the investment area which is really important, particularly, for Armenia’s sustainable economic growth. We concur on that issue, and we would like to see new joint innovative projects in the area of science and other areas. In my turn, I would like to invite pragmatic and ambitions Armenian entrepreneurs to participate in Russian projects and programs. We have also opportunities to realize projects in third countries and neighboring markets, which might also become an important vector of cooperation. Another pivotal topic of our discussions was transportation area, which has been mentioned also by President Sargsyan. It is not only about railroad but also about the organization of maritime cooperation between some seaports. I hope that all this will invigorate business and cultural relations and will provide for a greater movement of people. We have witnessed the ceremony of signing important documents, which have already been mentioned. It is a weighty contribution to the strengthening of our partnership. In this context, I would like to highlight two points, which have already been noted by President Sargsyan. First, it is the interstate agreement on the construction of the new energy unit for the Armenian nuclear power station. It opens a new page in our bilateral cooperation in the energy area and constitutes a very important part of our cooperation. The second important document pertains to our relations in the area of security. We are active members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. An unofficial summit of the leaders of the CSTO member states will take place soon. In this context, Protocol n. 5 on the extension of the terms of the state Agreement on the Russian military base acquires special significance – it is aimed at the maintenance of peace and security in the South Caucasus and the Caucasus in general. We are also endeavoring to develop our humanitarian relations on all directions. At the friendly dinner held here last night, those relations were highlighted; mentioned were many Armenian friends, who have been doing a lot to strengthen and promote these relations. We want these relations to develop in every area and not only in the cultural area, in the narrow sense of the word, but also in the area of education, since it has become a tradition to provide citizens of Armenia with the Russian state fellowships. We believe that that practice should be sustained. In 2010-2011 academic year it is planned to allocate 290 such fellowships. And this is about the state-sponsored program alone, while we have other good programs which involve branches of the Russian universities. In short, cooperation in this area is very important. We, as it’s usually said, have had a pretty thorough discussions regarding international issues. Of course, we have spoke about the NK issue too. I thank President Sargsyan for his assessment of Russia’s role. I would like to assure that we are ready to carry on with our mediating efforts, to assist the process, to aid in search for a political solution, based on mutually acceptable agreements in the framework of the general activities of the OSCE Minsk Group, as well as in the framework of Armenia-Azerbaijan direct contacts. I would like to once again to thank President Sargsyan for good talks, our constant dialogue, fine personal relations, to thank him for the hospitality shown to me and my wife. I am confident that this visit will become another example of growing cordial and allied relations between our countries. Thank you. *** Mr. President, right now, in your presence signed was the agreement on Russia’s participation in the construction of a new energy unit for the Armenian nuclear power station. However, your counterpart Serzh Sargsyan noted that another major package of agreements is being prepared – on the participation of Russian businesses in the investment projects. Could you elaborate on the nature of these projects, how far they have been developed and when they will be ready for signing?

Mr. President, what’s your opinion of the idea to establish an international school in Dilijan?

Mr. President, in 2008 along with your Turkish counterpart you attended the football match of your two national teams. At the time it was a sensational event. Are you having any regrets about inviting your Turkish colleague to Armenia?