“Let me welcome you on the occasion of a great event, the opening of the Year of Armenia in the Russian Federation. As a matter of fact we are keeping on the tradition that started last year when were opening the Year of Russia in Armenia. I would like to wholeheartedly thank all our Armenian friends and especially the Armenian President for active and interested participation and attitude demonstrated towards the events held within the year of Russia in Armenia,” Russian President Vladimir Putin stated when delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Year of Armenia in Russia. In his speech he noted in part, “We all expect that the richness of culture, history and modern achievement of Armenia will be bright and unforgettable for the Russian citizens. Various Armenian organizations hospitably opened their doors for the Russian intellectuals and representatives of public and youth organizations as well as business circles of our country. Together we worked at the project strengthening strategic partnership between our states. I am convinced that during the Year of Armenia in Russia that is starting today common undertakings in economic, scientific, cultural and educational fields will receive worthy development.
Russia highly appreciates the traditions of trust and neighborhood with the Armenian people. The common historical and spiritual values, mutual sympathy that is conveyed from generation to generation, appear as a firm basis for them. We remember the heroic pages of the common chronicle, the dramatic ordeals and victories. And we know the names of outstanding Armenian sons and daughters living in Russia and multiplying its grandeur and richness.
Dear friends! Russia and Armenia are unified in the aspiration to develop the multisided strategic partnership. It is gratifying that our relations are becoming more and more dynamic and substantial. The commodity turnover grew considerably last year. As compared to the previous year it has grown with 40%. Our business circles propose interesting solutions in economic cooperation.
I would also like to stress that our strategic partnership plays an important role in combating new challenges and threats. During the recent years we consistently develop the cooperation in this direction, strengthen interaction within integration organizations, which are utterly important for providing regional and international security. For its part, Russia is going to promote the search of mutually admissible political and diplomatic solutions, which could lead to the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the Transcaucasus.
Dear friends! Humanitarian and cultural cooperation has always been one of the constituents of the Armenian-Russian ties. Direct human contacts both spiritually, mentally and materially enrich our citizens. They inspire creative strengths, develop the culture of the peoples and raise the virtue of our states.
We attach great importance to the development of the Russian-Armenian public dialogue. The growth of partner ties between the structures of the civic society, between non-governmental and youth organizations promote openness between our countries and strengthen their democratic grounds. Certainly both Armenia and Russia are interested in the expansion of mutual information exchange and implementation of joint projects in science, sports and culture. The Agreement on Humanitarian Cooperation concluded by the CIS member-states offers a wide opportunity for it. This strategic document is becoming an efficient instrument for the multisided activities.
Dear friends! An Armenian proverb says, “Consent increases wealth”. We have made sure that mutual trust stimulates and enriches our contacts, allows achieving global aims in economic, social and political spheres. I am convinced that the Year of Armenia in Russia will be rich with bright events, interesting meetings and successful projects. In conclusion I would like to wish you all success, welfare and prosperity to our people and new achievements to our states.”
