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ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS HAVE GROWN INTO ALLIED STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Russia's Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly Dryukov answering ARMINFO's questions.

Q: What do you think about the state of Armenian-Russian political relations and the prospects of their development?

A: The relations are developing quite dynamically on stable legal foundations. We have signed Declaration on Allied Cooperation, which oriented towards the 21st century, as well as Agreement on Long-Term Economic Cooperation for the period till 2010. Our relations have grown into allied strategic partnership. Their development meets the interests of both peoples."

This year we'll continue enlarging and improving the whole spectrum of bilateral ties.

In politics both countries are committed to continue their efforts for developing multilateral and bilateral ties in the framework of the CIS and for institutionalizing the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Special importance will be given to such topical issues as fight with terrorism, regional cooperation and European integration. Of course, Russia will continue its mediation of the Karabakh conflict settlement.

Q: Is the Russian side satisfied with the level of bilateral; economic cooperation? What are the prospects of economic cooperation?

A: During the last few years the Armenian-Russian economic relations have made considerable progress. Tax barriers in mutual trade have been removed, which contributed to an increase in bilateral trade. In 2002, Armenia's trade with Russia increased by 14%, totaling 261mln. USD,which is much higher than with the country's other trade partners, Iran, the USA and Belgium. Russian-Armenian trade increased by almost 100mln. USD since 1999, which is satisfactory. Prospects for the development of the Russian-Armenian trade and economic cooperation involve the implementation of previously reached agreements, primarily the Agreement "Property against Debt." The implementation of the Agreement will open the way to new Russian investments in Armenia, primarily in the country's energy sphere and military-industrial complex.

Q: Which spheres of the Armenian economy are the most attractive for the Russian investors?

A: Russia is the major investor in Armenia's economy, ensuring 1/3 of foreign investments (47mln. USd in 2002). Large Armenian-Russian joint ventures are successfully operating in Armenia. Among them are "Armrosgasprom" and "Armenal." among the latest examples of Russian investments in Armenia's economy is the purchase of the Yerevan "Almast" plant and two related instrument-making enterprises by the Russian "International Business Center." Also, this February, a new banks shared in by Russian capital, "Ardshininvestbank", received a license, and the share of Russian capital in Armenia's banking system is now almost 25%. In my opinion, investments in Armenia's energy sector, industry, banking, insurance and other spheres are promising for Russia.

Q: Are the sides going to implement any joint projects in the spheres of political, economic and military cooperation.

A: I have partially answered this question. In the military we'll continue deepening cooperation within the OCST, in economy implementing the "Property-Against-Debt" agreement. For Armenia it is very important to join EurAsEC and to get fully involved in the formation of the economic union of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Q: Russia is one of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. What are the prospects of the Karabakh conflict's peaceful settlement?

A: My personal wish it that the conflict be settled as soon as possible, but we must be realistic. There are many obstacles to that. You should search for a solution acceptable to all the conflicting parties. As for Russia, it is ready to guarantee the observance of all the agreements reached. The OSCE co-chairs have passed quite a long way, have proposed many scenarios. At the same time, the analysis of the situation around the Karabakh conflict settlement shows that the negotiating process has slowed down a bit. Contributing to this were, among other factors, the presidential and parliamentary elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is hard now to make any forecasts, but I am sure that all difficulties will be overcome as all the South Caucasian nations are interested in peace and stability, in developing economy and democracy, in favouable social conditions and cultural prosperity.

04 Jule, 2003
Marina Ananikyan, ARMINFO