Russian Ambassador to Armenia, Sergey Kopyrkin, stated during the 15th national competition for the title of “Best Russian Teacher in Armenia 2024” that the Russian language has always been a cornerstone in Armenia-Russia cooperation. He emphasized that this remains true regardless of the sovereignty and independence of both nations.

Ambassador Kopyrkin pointed out that relations between Russia and Armenia span various sectors, including economics and culture, according to Sputnik Armenia.

“Russia has always been and continues to be Armenia’s largest economic partner. We are linked by integrational relations, and Russians traditionally comprise the majority of tourists visiting Armenia. This underscores the importance of the Russian language not only for the development of interstate relations but also for enhancing Armenia’s internal potential,” he said.

The ambassador also emphasized the vital role of Russian language teachers, viewing their work as foundational to preserving the position of Russian in Armenia’s education system.

“This is a noble mission, especially considering the historical role of Russian in our relations. The cooperation between our peoples has consistently contributed to the cultural and spiritual enrichment of both countries and the development of intellectual potential,” Kopyrkin emphasized.

He noted that the teaching competition is only a small part of the broader efforts to promote the Russian language. The ambassador added that one of Russia’s foreign policy priorities remains maintaining and advancing the Russian language worldwide, particularly in countries with brotherly relations like Armenia.

Kopyrkin also highlighted the embassy's close attention to the challenges faced by Russian language teachers in Armenia.

“I hope teachers recognize how seriously Russia and its representation take the development and preservation of the Russian language in Armenia,” he concluded.