Wednesday, April 20 2022 13:04

ArmInfo.Below is a joint statement by RF President Vladimir Putin and RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the results of their meeting in Novo-Ogaryovo.  At the  invitation of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin, on  April 19-20, 2022, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia N.V.  Pashinyan paid an official visit to the Russian Federation.

1. The leaders held a detailed exchange of views in the constructive  and trusting atmosphere typical of the allied relations between  Armenia and Russia on the wide-ranging agenda in the political,  military, military- technical, trade-economic,  scientific-educational, cultural-humanitarian spheres, as well as in  the spheres of justice, labor and social affairs, noted with  satisfaction the positive dynamics of the development of a mutually  beneficial multifaceted alliance between Armenia and Russia.  Cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual interest  were also discussed.

2. Attaching historical significance to the 30th anniversary of the  establishment of diplomatic relations, April 3, 1992, the parties  confirmed the intention to expand and deepen the comprehensive  interstate relations based on the principles enshrined in the Treaty  on Friendship, Cooperation, Mutual Assistance between the Republic of  Armenia and the Russian Federation signed on August 29, 1997 and the  Declaration on the Allied Partnership between the Republic of Armenia  and the Russian Federation oriented towards the 21st century signed  on September 26, 2000. The parties expressed confidence that the  further progressive development of the Armenian-Russian relations  will contribute to the realization of the essential interests and  aspirations of the peoples of Armenia and Russia, to the  strengthening of regional security and stability, to the  strengthening of the international reputation of the two countries.

3. The leaders agreed that the organization of joint events dedicated  to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations  in 2022 will serve to the promotion of bilateral cooperation and  strengthening of its strategic orientation and special nature. It was  agreed to hold the Days of Armenian Culture in Russia and the Days of  Russian Spiritual Culture in Armenia, to lay the foundation of the  Armenian-Russian friendship monument in Yerevan on the occasion of  the anniversary and a number of other events that will strengthen  interpersonal contacts between our peoples.

It was decided to promote the establishment of a dialogue between the  Armenian and Russian societies on a permanent basis, aiming to hold  its first session in 2022, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the  establishment of diplomatic relations.

4. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin mentioned the priority importance of  regular dialogue in the atmosphere of trust at the highest level. In  this connection, the importance of the current official visit of the  Prime Minister of Armenia to the Russian Federation was stressed in  terms of further strengthening mutually beneficial political ties,  expanding interdepartmental exchanges, deepening trade and economic  cooperation and integration processes in the Eurasian region and  normalization of the situation and raising stability in the South  Caucasus.

The usefulness of the experience of conducting bilateral foreign  policy consultations at different levels was confirmed. The need to  continue the intensive Armenian-Russian inter-parliamentary dialogue  was stressed. The high level of military and military-technical  cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian  Federation was mentioned.

5. The leaders expressed satisfaction with the results of the work  aimed at bringing the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia to  the path of sustainable growth. The need for further diversification  of the categories of trade, further progressive growth of volumes,  the development of cooperation in various spheres of production, the  active implementation of the mechanisms of the Eurasian Economic  Union were stressed.

An agreement was reached to encourage the establishment of close ties  between the business circles of the two countries, including through  interregional and local self-government platforms, through the  application of business mission mechanisms. The work done to finalize  the economic cooperation program between the Government of the  Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Russian Federation for  2022-2025 was positively assessed.

6. The high demand and efficiency of the Intergovernmental Commission  on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the  Russian Federation, as well as the Working Group on Industry in terms  of elaboration and implementation of bilateral practical arrangements  were underlined. Mutual interest was expressed in holding permanent  industrial exhibitions in the territory of Armenia, including, with  the emphasis on cooperation in the field of high technologies.

The Parties welcomed the intention of the Russian economic operators  to create a complete, modern production cycle in Armenia, expressed  interest in the development of the field of energy, including the  development of renewable energy programs based on the principles of  energy security and independence, caring attitude for the nature and  sustainable development.

It was decided to further facilitate the flow of Russian investments  to Armenia. It was emphasized that the Russian economic operators are  among the main taxpayers of the Republic of Armenia, ensure the  creation of a significant number of jobs, expand the opportunities  for professional training of the staff.

The Parties noted with satisfaction the work of the Parties on the  establishment of the Armenian-Russian Business Council with the aim  of expanding ties between the two countries' regions, strengthening  business ties, establishing joint ventures and intensifying  investment dialogue.

The Parties reaffirmed their readiness to expand cooperation in the  field of use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, welcomed the  extension of the term of operation of the Armenian NPP, expressed  their intention to work out the construction of new power units.

The effective joint work aimed at the consistent establishment of  common market of energy resources within the Eurasian Economic Union  was emphasized.

7. The Parties expressed intention to promote the deepening of  practical cooperation between the regions of Armenia and Russia,  including through the implementation of the mechanism of annual  interregional conferences, supported the comprehensive implementation  of the Interregional Cooperation Program 2022- 2027 between the  Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the  Russian Federation, the establishment of cross-links between the  regions and municipal units.

8. The leaders reaffirmed their intention to continue joint action to  combat the spread of the COVID-19 disease, other dangerous  infections, and animal infections. They considered the politicization  of the epidemic issue inadmissible, and spoke in favor of a joint  effort to overcome the aftermath of COVID-19, to prevent the spread  of infectious diseases.

9. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin expressed concern over the use of  unilateral restrictive measures by a number of countries, expressed  intention to jointly overcome the challenges posed by these measures,  including in the areas of food, energy security, logistics and other  areas of the two countries.

10. The Parties expressed concern over the growing tendency to use  modern information and communication technologies to carry out  unlawful and harmful acts, to interfere in the internal affairs of  States, and to undermine their sovereignty, emphasized the importance  of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of international  information security. The Parties reaffirmed the intention to engage  constructively in ensuring international information security at the  regional and global levels, first and foremost at the United Nations.

11. The leaders stressed the importance of further implementation of  the agreements reached between Yerevan and Moscow in the field of  biosafety, including the 2021 agreement, including based on the May  6, 2021 Memorandum of Understanding on Ensuring Biological Safety. It  has been confirmed that the territories of the two countries will not  be allocated for use by third countries for the purpose of carrying  out activities against each other's interests in the field of  biosafety.

12. The Parties, maintaining a shared approach to the common past,  expressed intention to continue the fight against the revising of the  aftermath of World War II and the distortion of history, agreed to  step up efforts to combat racism, xenophobia, neo-Nazism, as well as  national, linguistic or religious discrimination, including any  manifestations against the rights of citizens, compatriots living in  Armenia, Russia, and their legitimate interests.

13. The leaders spoke in favor of further deepening of cooperation in  the fields of culture, education, protection of employment and social  affairs, information, tourism, sports and the environment. The  important tools for this are the bilateral interagency working group  on cooperation in the field of education, the cooperation plan for  2022-2025 between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, Sports  of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian  Federation, the 2022-2023 Action Plan for the Implementation of the  Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Sports between the  Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, Sports of the Republic of  Armenia and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the  2022-2023 program of implementation of the memorandum of cooperation  in the field of environment between the Ministry of Environment of  the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Natural Resources and  Environment of the Russian Federation.

The importance of providing favorable conditions for the study of the  Russian language in the Republic of Armenia and for the study of the  Armenian language in the Russian Federation was emphasized, including  through increasing the efficiency of the joint educational  organizations and the branches of Russian universities operating in  the Republic of Armenia.

14. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin agreed to expand cooperation in the  field of fundamental science on the basis of joint research and  production complexes, with emphasis on the In a constructive and  trusting atmosphere typical of the Armenian- Russian allied  relations, the leaders held a detailed exchange of views on the  extended agenda of bilateral cooperation in the political, military,  military-technical, trade- economic, scientific-educational,  cultural-humanitarian fields, as well as justice, labor and social  issues, noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of the  development of the multifaceted mutually beneficial alliance between  Armenia and Russia. development of the demanded high-tech products,  expressed readiness to promote the links between the universities and  research institutes of the two countries, new business projects  (startups), as well as to promote the organization of congresses,  conferences, seminars, exhibitions and other events aimed at the  development of cooperation in the fields of science, education, youth  policy.

15. The leaders spoke in favor of intensifying youth exchanges  between the two countries, based on the Armenian-Russian youth forums  and the admission mechanisms of Armenian citizens to Russian higher  education institutions in specialties assessed as priority by Yerevan  covered by the federal budget of the Russian Federation.

16. The useful work carried out by the "Moscow House" Moscow  Cultural-Business Center, the Russian Book House in Yerevan, the  Yerevan State Russian Drama Theater after K.S. Stanislavsky for  closer contacts in the fields of culture and education was  emphasized. The Parties spoke in favor of holding mass events aimed  at strengthening cultural ties between the two peoples, in  particular, organizing joint exhibitions, festivals, tours of leading  artists of Armenia and Russia.

17. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin agreed to promote the unveiling of  the potential of the Russian Diaspora in Armenia and the Armenian  Diaspora in Russia for strengthening bilateral cultural and  humanitarian ties, and to implement initiatives of social  significance for the two countries. The importance of the activities  of Diaspora associations was emphasized in promoting interethnic  unity, maintaining and strengthening inter- ethnic consensus and  trust.

18. Recognizing the key role of the Collective Security Treaty  Organization in ensuring regional security, considering Armenia's  ongoing presidency over the Organization, the Parties reaffirmed  their readiness to intensify efforts to increase the capacity of the  Collective Security Treaty Organization, including the CSTO  Peacekeeping Forces and the Organization's crisis response  mechanisms, to strengthen coordination and to support the expansion  of CSTO partnering relations.

19. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin spoke in favor of the progressive  advancement of integration processes within the Eurasian Economic  Union, the implementation of strategic directions of integration  development, including the creation of an internal market without  restrictions, obstacles, exceptions, increasing the share of  settlements in national currencies.

20. The Parties spoke in favor of further deepening of cooperation in  the format of the Commonwealth of Independent States in all  directions, including for the coordination of positions on current  international issues, raising the level of socio-economic development  of the Commonwealth member states, and expanding cultural and  humanitarian ties.

21. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the development of an  inclusive, equitable, representative international system for the  promotion of peace, democracy, and the prosperity of all peoples in  line with the principles and goals of the UN Charter. The Parties  shall make the necessary efforts to coordinate the positions of  Armenia and Russia, in order to deepen cooperation in the UN and on  other platforms.

22. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin expressed deep concern over the  aggravating situation in the field of international security. In this  regard, the Parties intend to further strengthen cooperation to  counter negative trends in this area. The leaders hold the position  that no state, union or coalition cannot and should not ensure their  security at the expense of the security of other states. They note  the inadmissibility of actions aimed at the destruction of the arms  control architecture and gaining unilateral military benefits to the  detriment of others, which violates the basic principle of equal and  indivisible security, and leads to contradictions and confrontation.

23. The Parties stressed the high demand for strengthening the joint  efforts to counter international terrorism in all its forms and  manifestations, the extremism, trafficking in drugs, weapons, arms,  explosives related with the latter, transnational organized crime, as  well as other security challenges and threats to the two countries,  as well as to block the sources and channels for funding terrorism.

24. The leaders exchanged views on the situation in the South  Caucasus, spoke in favor of the continuation of the constructive work  in the sidelines of the regular meetings between the leaders of  Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia and the consistent implementation of  the November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021 agreements  reached between the three leaders for the benefit of regional  stability, security and economic development, stressed the decisive  contribution of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to the provision  of security of Nagorno Karabakh and creation of favorable and safe  living conditions for the population, emphasized the need for an  urgent solution to pressing humanitarian issues and the settlement of  all issues through political and diplomatic means. In this context,  the Parties underlined the importance of using the potential and  experience of the institute of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, in  accordance with its international mandate.

25. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin stressed the importance of  intensifying the activity of the trilateral working group on the  unblocking of all economic ties and transport routes in the South  Caucasus, jointly chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers of  Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia.

The Russian side is ready to participate in the restoration projects  of the railway infrastructure of Armenia, including railway  restoration in Syunik and other provinces of the Republic of Armenia.

26. The Parties agreed to speed up the establishment of a bilateral  commission on demarcation and security in the Armenian-Azerbaijani  border area in accordance with the trilateral agreement of November  26, 2021 with the consultative assistance of the Russian Federation  at the request of the Parties.

27. The leaders were united in their assessment of the high  usefulness of contacts between Azerbaijani and Armenian religious  figures and representatives of the societies with the support of  Russia, which contributes to the "construction of bridges" between  the peoples of the two countries. This practice will continue.

28. The Parties agreed to intensify the trilateral cooperation  between Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan aimed at supporting the  normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and in the  region in general.

The leaders noted the importance of the access and involvement of all  stakeholders, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross  and the specialized agencies of the UN, including the Office of the  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNESCO, in addressing  humanitarian issues in the region, and in providing comprehensive  assistance to all those in need.

29. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin welcomed the normalization process  of the Armenian-Turkish relations launched with the Russian support.

30. The Parties noted the successful launch of the "3 + 3" regional  consultative format, which aims to provide additional opportunities  for dialogue and multifaceted cooperation between all countries in  the region.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the President of  the Russian Federation expressed confidence that the effective  negotiations held in Moscow will contribute to the further  strengthening of the Armenian-Russian multilateral special allied  relations.

N.V. Pashinyan thanked for the warm reception given by V.V. Putin,  confirmed his invitation to the Russian leader to visit Yerevan in  the second half of 2022 in connection with the session of the CSTO  Collective Security Council. The invitation was accepted with  gratitude.