Papikian Discusses with Russian Ambassador

The Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, Suren Papikian, received the Ambassador of Russia to Armenia, Sergey Kopirkin, on September 23. According to a statement from Papikian's office, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Armenian-Russian relations are at a high level and expressed confidence that effective cooperation will continue.

Papikian congratulated the Russian ambassador on the occasion of the elections in the State Duma of the Russian Federation, noting that these create new preconditions for the implementation of programs and ideas. During the conversation, the importance of cooperation between the National Assembly of Armenia and the State Duma of Russia was highlighted as a means to deepen and strengthen Armenian-Russian relations.

It was noted that after the elections in both countries, a phase of political stability and certainty opens up, which could elevate inter-parliamentary cooperation to a new level. Ambassador Sergey Kopirkin appreciated the past cooperation with Suren Papikian, pointing out that good experience has been accumulated, creating broad preconditions for implementing future projects.

The Russian ambassador expressed the readiness of the Russian side to expand cooperation in all areas, confident that positive results would not keep waiting long. The parties discussed the prospects for developing Armenian-Russian relations, addressing issues of security, defense, energy, infrastructure, new technologies, and entrepreneurship development.

Attention was drawn to the operation of the South Caucasus Railway, highlighting its significance in the development of Armenia’s economy, as well as appreciating the fact that the modernization of railway capacities opens up new opportunities for the chain development of socio-economic and related sectors.

The parties also discussed effective cooperation in the energy sector. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that it holds strategic importance for Armenia and that its multifaceted development is vital for the implementation of the Armenian government’s programs. In this context, the expansion of cooperation with Rosatom was discussed, including current work on the renovation and modernization of the nuclear power plant and the necessity and prospects for building a new nuclear power station.

As a recent example of Armenian-Russian joint cooperation, the production of the first batches of the Russian Sputnik Light coronavirus vaccine in Armenia was mentioned.

Regarding the reopening of communication routes in the region, Deputy Prime Minister Suren Papikian highlighted Russia's special and effective role in both the trilateral format and within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. The situation created in the Goris-Kapan road section was also discussed, emphasizing Russia's important and constructive role in reducing tension and finding solutions to emerging problems.