October 19, 2021 - 14:22 AMT
Pashinyan: Armenia-Russia relations must be in line with changing world

Relations between Armenia and Russia must meet the demands of a rapidly changing world, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a message addressed to the Armenian-Russian Interregional Forum on Tuesday, October 19.

"The Russian Federation not only plays a key role in maintaining peace and stability in our region, but also plays a central role in our country's economy. Russia is Armenia's leading trade partner," Pashinyan said.

"Russia is also a leader in terms of investments in Armenia, and has an exceptional role in the development of our country's infrastructure. Among the recent investments, it is necessary to point out the technology transfer for the release of the Sputnik Light Vaccine, which is particularly i"mportant for our country in the light of the fight against the pandemic.

Pashinyan noted that the level of economic cooperation between the two countries corresponds to the requirements stemming from allied relations.

"The world is changing rapidly, and our relations must meet the demands coming from those changes. We need to improve our economic relations so that they contribute to the development of competitive economies in our countries. In the context of what I said, we highlight the further rapprochement and mutual integration of our economies, which should be based on the free movement of goods, services, labor and capital. The Eurasian Economic Union, in turn, serves that strategic goal, and we are interested in strengthening that structure and improving its institutions. The imperative of diversification of our economic ties is also obvious," the Armenian PM said.

"In addition to the traditional areas, it is necessary to find ways to further develop cooperation in the fields of high technology, innovation and knowledge-based economic sectors. I am convinced that today's event is one of the tools that best serves the above goals."

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the forum earlier, maintaining that relations between Russia and Armenia "are of a truly allied nature", with a meaningful political dialogue and productive cooperation in various fields.