Despite close economic ties, regional rivalry between Moscow and Ankara continues, an Armenian professor said.

“This competition is a bit alleviated but persists,” Ruben Safrastyan, director of the RA NAS Institute of Oriental Studies told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

He emphasized that Ankara and Moscow practise different geo-strategic approaches in the region. “While Russia tries to maintain the status quo, which is in Armenia’s interests as well, Turkey seeks to alter it,” he said.

As to economic cooperation, prof. Safrastyan said it’s the major component of the Russian-Turkish cooperation.