If Armenian-Russian Cooperation Did Not Exist, the Question Would Be Whether Armenia Would Exist, Says President

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian stated that he would like to see Armenian-Russian relations at a qualitatively new level. "For the future, I would want to see a relationship that is qualitatively absolutely different between Russia and Armenia. However, for that, first and foremost, we in Armenia need to change our attitude towards ourselves. This means that we must build a small smart state that has a large and very powerful friend in the form of Russia, and become truly small but a strong partner for Russia," President Armen Sarkissian said during an interview on the Russia-24 program "1/6."

He noted that he would like to be the president of a powerful country that has a great, superpower, and long-standing historical friend with whom it can walk into the future. Armen Sarkissian pointed out that all possibilities exist for this, as Armenians can bring the latest technologies from all over the world, and can comfortably engage in these new technologies with Russia. He also mentioned that a large number of Armenian scientists and businessmen live in Russia, not only in the European part but from Orenburg and Irkutsk to Vladivostok.

"Armenians live well everywhere, and I am proud that Armenians living in Russia, for the absolute majority, are good citizens of Russia. This is very important. I can tell you how many great opportunities there are for more detailed and deep cooperation between Armenia and Russia," said the Armenian president.

In response to the question of what partnership with Russia gives Armenia, Armen Sarkissian replied that it is a very complex question, as if Armenian-Russian cooperation did not exist, the question would be whether Armenia would exist or not. Moreover, these relations are so deep that it is even pointless to discuss them. He emphasized, "In the last war, there is still a question of where and how it would have ended if it weren't for Russia."