Updates
Foreign visits
01
06, 2010
Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Rostov-on-Don
On June 1, in Rostov-on-Don President Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev.
The Presidents of Armenia and Russia discussed a wide range of issues pertinent to the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership, economic cooperation, invigoration of humanitarian contacts, exchanged views on regional and international developments.
Welcoming his Armenian counterpart, the President of the Russian Federation said, “As close and strategic partners we should meet frequently. Actually, this is exactly what we are doing. Recently you participated at the May 9 celebrations dedicated to the 65th anniversary of our then common country’s victory over the fascist invaders. I would like to thank you once again for being with us on that day. It shows the closeness of our countries and mutual desire to further develop our strategic partnership.”
The President of the Russian Federation informed President Sargsyan about the results of his meetings with several European leaders in the context of the Armenian-Turkish process of normalization.
The President of Armenia stressed the importance of working visits such as this one and said, “I believe, this is a good format. I thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to visit this beautiful city.
Many of the Armenian scientific and cultural intelligentsia have direct links with the city and region of Rostov. There is a large Armenian community. Today, I will be meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community of the Southern Russia.”
President Serzh Sargsyan thanked for the warm reception and excellent organization of the events dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Great Victory and added, “I was very proud; the great parade was an excellent reminder that we have common history and that we were brothers in arms.”
At the meeting the parties reached agreement regarding President Medvedev’s visit to Armenia in August.
President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Rostov-on-Don on a working visit, visited the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Ascension, the historical and ethnographic museum and paid tribute to the memory of the Armenian soldiers of the Myasnikian region who fought in the Great Patriotic War.
The President of Armenia met also with the leadership of the region and the representatives of the Armenian communities of Southern Russia.
At the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community President Sargsyan said, “Rostov-on-Don gave so much for the development of our literature, culture and political thought that here the words of the Armenian President reverberate with special meaning. My words are backed by great New Nakhichevanians – Rafael Patkanian, Mikhael Nalbandian, Martiros Saryan and many others whose names and accomplishments are dear to us all. This is particularly compelling for those who by the whim of destiny live and work here and have to carry on in a dignified way with the great and rich Armenian traditions. Today, relations between Armenia and Russia are strong and solid and, I am confident, will continue to be. This is both advantageous and favorable for the development of our communities since your new motherland Russia and your historical motherland Armenia have excellent relations. Moreover, the existing level of mutual understanding and trust can be exemplary for many.”
Speaking about the current political and economic situation in Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan said, “You undoubtedly know that the process of ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols has been suspended. Its main reason is crystal clear: right now Turkey is not ready to ratify the Protocols. To justify its failure to do it, Turkey is putting forward new and new preconditions. Moreover, Turkey is trying to break into the area, and I mean the NK peace process, where it obviously has no business to do. At the moment, there is nothing to talk about with an untrustworthy and unreliable partner, which occasionally violates reached agreements. You probably remember that during my Pan-Armenian tour here, in Rostov ideas, concerns, and considerations regarding this issue were articulated. The time has proved that we did our best to open Europe’s last closed border, while Turkey was simply not ready. As for the NK issue, we have stated unequivocally that we will not negotiate the right of the people of Karabakh for self-determination with anyone.”
The President of Armenia spoke about domestic issues, the steps undertaken to mitigate the consequences of the global financial and economic crisis and recovery of the Armenian economy.
In conclusion, President Sargsyan said, “We are writing our own history, a history which was revived by our independence, a history which will be written by all of us. Our writing will be forceful and future generations will be proud with that writing. Time works in favor of those who use it wisely, who allot their resources properly. Let’s work together, in the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora triumvirate, let’s do it right, and the time will work in our favor and will become our ally.”
On the second day of his working visit to Rostov-on-Don, President Serzh Sargsyan visited Starocherkasski historical and architectural reserve-museum, as well as Atamanskoye podvorye exhibition and Voskovoy Voskresenski shrine.
The Presidents of Armenia and Russia discussed a wide range of issues pertinent to the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership, economic cooperation, invigoration of humanitarian contacts, exchanged views on regional and international developments.
Welcoming his Armenian counterpart, the President of the Russian Federation said, “As close and strategic partners we should meet frequently. Actually, this is exactly what we are doing. Recently you participated at the May 9 celebrations dedicated to the 65th anniversary of our then common country’s victory over the fascist invaders. I would like to thank you once again for being with us on that day. It shows the closeness of our countries and mutual desire to further develop our strategic partnership.”
The President of the Russian Federation informed President Sargsyan about the results of his meetings with several European leaders in the context of the Armenian-Turkish process of normalization.
The President of Armenia stressed the importance of working visits such as this one and said, “I believe, this is a good format. I thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to visit this beautiful city.
Many of the Armenian scientific and cultural intelligentsia have direct links with the city and region of Rostov. There is a large Armenian community. Today, I will be meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community of the Southern Russia.”
President Serzh Sargsyan thanked for the warm reception and excellent organization of the events dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Great Victory and added, “I was very proud; the great parade was an excellent reminder that we have common history and that we were brothers in arms.”
At the meeting the parties reached agreement regarding President Medvedev’s visit to Armenia in August.
President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Rostov-on-Don on a working visit, visited the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Ascension, the historical and ethnographic museum and paid tribute to the memory of the Armenian soldiers of the Myasnikian region who fought in the Great Patriotic War.
The President of Armenia met also with the leadership of the region and the representatives of the Armenian communities of Southern Russia.
At the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community President Sargsyan said, “Rostov-on-Don gave so much for the development of our literature, culture and political thought that here the words of the Armenian President reverberate with special meaning. My words are backed by great New Nakhichevanians – Rafael Patkanian, Mikhael Nalbandian, Martiros Saryan and many others whose names and accomplishments are dear to us all. This is particularly compelling for those who by the whim of destiny live and work here and have to carry on in a dignified way with the great and rich Armenian traditions. Today, relations between Armenia and Russia are strong and solid and, I am confident, will continue to be. This is both advantageous and favorable for the development of our communities since your new motherland Russia and your historical motherland Armenia have excellent relations. Moreover, the existing level of mutual understanding and trust can be exemplary for many.”
Speaking about the current political and economic situation in Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan said, “You undoubtedly know that the process of ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols has been suspended. Its main reason is crystal clear: right now Turkey is not ready to ratify the Protocols. To justify its failure to do it, Turkey is putting forward new and new preconditions. Moreover, Turkey is trying to break into the area, and I mean the NK peace process, where it obviously has no business to do. At the moment, there is nothing to talk about with an untrustworthy and unreliable partner, which occasionally violates reached agreements. You probably remember that during my Pan-Armenian tour here, in Rostov ideas, concerns, and considerations regarding this issue were articulated. The time has proved that we did our best to open Europe’s last closed border, while Turkey was simply not ready. As for the NK issue, we have stated unequivocally that we will not negotiate the right of the people of Karabakh for self-determination with anyone.”
The President of Armenia spoke about domestic issues, the steps undertaken to mitigate the consequences of the global financial and economic crisis and recovery of the Armenian economy.
In conclusion, President Sargsyan said, “We are writing our own history, a history which was revived by our independence, a history which will be written by all of us. Our writing will be forceful and future generations will be proud with that writing. Time works in favor of those who use it wisely, who allot their resources properly. Let’s work together, in the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora triumvirate, let’s do it right, and the time will work in our favor and will become our ally.”
On the second day of his working visit to Rostov-on-Don, President Serzh Sargsyan visited Starocherkasski historical and architectural reserve-museum, as well as Atamanskoye podvorye exhibition and Voskovoy Voskresenski shrine.