Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin released a joint statement following their meeting today in Moscow noting that they agreed to deepen interstate relations designed to “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.”

The two agreed to hold joint events in their countries to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

In this context, it was agreed to hold events marking Days of Armenian Culture in Russia and the Days of Russian Spiritual Culture in Armenia, and to lay the foundation of an Armenian-Russian friendship monument in Yerevan.  

The leaders discussed steps to grow trade between the two countries and to expand ties between the countries’ business sectors.

Pashinyan and Putin reaffirmed their readiness to expand cooperation in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and welcomed the extension of the term of operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (Metzamor) and expressed their intention to work on the construction of new power units.

Regarding Artsakh, the two “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.”

The sides noted the importance of using the potential and experience of the institute of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, in accordance with its international mandate.

Putin said Russia is ready to help rebuild railways in Armenia.

The two also “welcomed the normalization process of the Armenian-Turkish relations launched with the Russian support.”