The Ambassador says the Armenian-Russian relations have very deep traditions. The Armenian and Russian peoples have passed a great path together, he says, adding that this historical commonality, the joint achievements and trials have created a very significant and valuable architecture of mutual relations between the two countries, relating both to political, economic and security fields.
The diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation were established on April 3, 1992. On April 3, 2022 – on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Russia exchanged congratulatory letters. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Armenia and Russia, which was signed on August 29, 1997.
Armenia and Russia are strategic allies. The two countries have close allied relations marked by frequent bilateral visits at the high and the highest levels. Over 200 agreements, including the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance of August 29, 1997, have been signed between the two countries.
Russia is Armenia’s largest trading partner. According to the data of the Statistical Committee of Armenia, the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia in 2021 comprised 2 billion 841 million 153.568 thousand dollars. Moreover, the export comprised over 847 million 251 thousand dollars, and the import (according to exporting country) – 1 billion 993 million 902 thousand dollars.
- Mr. Ambassador, this year Armenia and Russia celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations. On April 3 the Armenian and Russian Foreign Ministers exchanged congratulatory letters on this occasion. The two sides state very often that Armenia and Russia have unique relations. I would like to ask you what makes the Armenian-Russian relations unique, and how would you assess this 30-year-old path that the two countries have passed in independence period, after the collapse of the Soviet Union?
- I think that the values, the traditions which have been formed between the Russian and Armenian peoples over decades make our relations unique, and I am convinced that what has been done in the past 30 years, is inseparably connected with the whole historic period during which our nations have communicated and cooperated. And this commonality of our history, the joint achievements and experiments have created a very significant and valuable architecture of mutual relations between our countries, which relates not only to politics, economy, security field, but first of all the spiritual commonality, to a considerable extent – the civilizational, intellectual commonality, and to the heritage that our countries have today in culture, state-building, public-political, economic culture spheres, and it is a result of mutual cooperation of our nations to a considerable extent.
If we talk about the post-Soviet period, of course, our relations have gained a new character over the past 30 years – a character of relations between two independent, sovereign states. But as they are based on very firm grounds, these relations have remained brotherly and allied, and what unites our peoples, in my view, has not only been maintained over these 30 years, but also strengthened and adapted to new realities.
As for the famous facts how we depend on one another economically, in security, political fields, in our numerous cultural, inter-personal ties, I think there is no need to talk about this as we all know it quite well.
- The basis of not only the inter-state relations between Armenia and Russia, but also the relations between the Armenian and Russian peoples are interesting. Ethnically, of course, we are different, although the faith is the same. In any case, we get along with each other very well and understand each other also very well. Many Armenians live in Russia, there are also many Russians in Armenia, a large number of Russian tourists are visiting Armenia especially in recent years. In your opinion, which factors, which spiritual and cultural values bring the Armenian and Russian peoples closer?
- Exactly what I was talking about. Truly, our relations have very deep traditions. We really have passed a very big path together, and the spiritual values and culture make us closer. The culture of our peoples has really developed in a very close intertwining. I think that these are the multiple elements of commonality in our consciousness.
- Is it probably mainly about the Soviet or post-Sovie...
