YEREVAN (Combined Sources)–President Robert Kocharian pledged to continue relations with Russia as political allies and strategic partners when meeting with Russian Federation Council Chairman Sergey Mironov on Saturday–before the Russian delegation wrapped up its official visit to Yerevan.
Sources in the Russian delegation told Itar-Tass that the visit began a new phase in Russian-Armenian relations.
Mironov remarked that the talks had a candid atmosphere–as the two discussed a range of issues related to Russian-Armenian relations. "We are ready for cooperation not only on a bilateral basis–not only within the CIS–but also in other international organizations," Mironov said–adding that Russia and Armenia’still have potential to cooperate that is not yet fully realized.
Cargo transit via Georgia to Armenia was also discussed–as the Russian-Georgian border is closed–impacting the Armenian economy negatively. "We discussed possible solutions to the problem–bearing in mind our partnership with Armenia," Mironov said.
A joint declaration was signed by Mironov and Armenian Parliament Speaker Artur Bagdasarian–which provides legislative steps in the anti-terrorist fight.
"Not only Russia–but also all countries of this unique land need stability in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia," Mironov told servicemen of a Russian regiment stationed in Yerevan. "You are one of the outposts of security on Russian southern boundaries," he said.