YEREVAN (Itar-Tass–BBC)–Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov–who arrived in Armenia Thursday for a one-day visit at the invitation of the Armenian government–said he sincerely viewed Armenia as "Russia’s strategic partner. We have come here to strengthen cooperation and concord with this republic".
Luzhkov said there were proposals for the co-production and assembly of motor vehicles–the delivery of chemical products–purchase of food–and strengthening cooperation in the field of education.
The Moscow Mayor pointed out that he would like to establish contacts through the Otechestvo (Fatherland) movement with respective political associations in Armenia. Luzhkov recalled that he had met with Armenian Revolutionary Federation leaders in Moscow.
Luzhkov is expected to run in next year’s presidential elections.