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Moscow To Strengthen Its Position In South Caucasus - Putin

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  • Moscow To Strengthen Its Position In South Caucasus - Putin

    MOSCOW TO STRENGTHEN ITS POSITION IN SOUTH CAUCASUS - PUTIN

    Interfax, Russia
    Dec 2 2013

    GYUMRI Armenia. Dec 2

    Russia intends to strengthen its position in the South Caucasus,
    President Vladimir Putin said at the Russian-Armenian Interregional
    Forum.

    "As to the South Caucasus, Russia has never planned to leave it. On
    the contrary, we are going to strengthen our position in the South
    Caucasus," Putin said.

    He said the position would strengthen "relying on the best inheritance
    from our ancestors and the good relations with all countries of the
    region, including Armenia."

    Putin called for developing cooperation between Russian and Armenian
    regions.

    Interregional cooperation is becoming "a major factor in the
    strengthening of [bilateral] trade and economic relations," the Russian
    leader told the audience at the Third Russian-Armenian Forum in Gyumri.

    "It already involves all the regions of Armenia and about 70 regions
    of Russia," Putin said. "It is important to continue the enlargement
    of the potential of the mutually advantageous partnership, to
    involve small and medium businesses in interregional cooperation,
    to broaden youth and tourism exchanges and to establish contacts
    between communities, civil and public organizations," the Russian
    president said.

    Russia is a leading trade partner and the main investor in Armenia.

    The bilateral trade turnover grew more than 20% and topped $1.2 billion
    in 2012, Putin said. Accumulated investment from Russia exceeded $3
    billion, which was more than 40% of the entire foreign investment
    in Armenia.

    The joint infrastructural and energy projects are being implemented,
    the Russian leader said. He mentioned the commercial operation of the
    fifth unit of the Razdan thermal power plant, the enlargement of the
    facilities of the Sevan-Razdan hydropower cascade, the extended period
    of operation of the Armenian nuclear power plant and the modernization
    of Armenian railroads.

    Putin greeted the forum delegates and said "the traditions of
    confidence and friendship continued to shape up bilateral relations as
    a partnership and an alliance." "The city of Gyumri [former Leninakan]
    which survived a devastating earthquake 25 year ago became a symbol
    of mutual support and close relations bonding Russia and Armenia,"
    the president said.

    Putin noted a positive effect from the Customs Union of Russia,
    Kazakhstan and Belarus.

    "Membership in the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space has
    brought tangible dividends to Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus," he said.

    The troika's GDP grew 1.7% in the first half of 2013 in spite of the
    unfavorable economic situation of the past few years, Putin stressed.

    The removal of customs and administrative barriers beefs up trade. The
    trade turnover in the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space
    gained 2% (excluding fuel and energy deliveries) in January-August.

    "Competition between national jurisdictions becomes a totally new
    phenomenon. Businessmen of Customs Union member countries have a
    right to choose the place for registration of their companies. This
    encourages the authorities to create comfortable conditions for
    business," Putin said.

    The Russian president said he was confident that Armenia's accession
    to the Eurasian integration project "would seriously strengthen its
    economic potential, improve the investment climate and promote direct
    business contacts, including those between regions."




    From: A. Papazian
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