On a working visit to Russia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with RF President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.

The leaders of the two strategic partner countries discussed issues related to the Armenian-Russian agenda and joint efforts in bilateral and multilateral formats. The parties touched upon the further development and expansion of cooperation in a variety of areas, including political, economic, military-technical and other spheres. The interlocutors stressed the importance of continued and consistent furtherance of relationships between the two allied nations, which will contribute to the increase of trade turnover and implementation of investment programs.

Nikol Pashinyan and Vladimir Putin also discussed other regional issues of mutual interest.

“Dear Nikol Vovayevich, we recently met with you in Sochi. Taking into account the strategic nature of our relations and the large scope of cooperation in different directions, I think our meetings are a must. I am grateful that you have arrived in Moscow, and we have the opportunity to talk about our bilateral affairs on the margins of an international sporting event. I would like to note that Russia is by far Armenia’s number one trade partner.

Last year, bilateral trade turnover increased by 30%, and this year, too, it keeps growing steadily, largely due to the supply of agricultural products to the Russian market. Of course, Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union has gone a long way to this end. We hope that we will continue to move in that direction. I am glad to meet you today and talk about the entire complex of our relations. Welcome to Russia,” Vladimir Putin said.

“Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, allow me to congratulate you on the occasion of Russia Day. Also, I would like to congratulate you on the World Cup 2018 as it is a landmark event at the global scale, and now Moscow is the focus of the world.

Thank you for your invitation. We met a month ago for the first time, and the fact that we are meeting again within 30 days testifies that Armenia and Russia boast featured relations. It also shows that the statements we made a month ago were not just well-motivated; they are being implemented in practice.

Indeed, the Armenian-Russian relations are of special nature. I am confident that they will continue to be unique, and I hope that these relations will become even more specific. Of course, for us, for the Armenian government, which represents the people of Armenia, it is gratifying to enjoy such a warm reception in Russia – in Sochi and in Moscow. And of course, this reflects the atmosphere we have been able to create during these months.

I think that both Armenia and Russia are satisfied with these developments, and I do hope that our relations will develop more effectively on the basis of mutual respect for the best interest and sovereignty of the two States. This is extremely important. It is very important that we have a chance, and I am confident that in the future as well we will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the whole range of our agenda.

It is a well-known fact that we have a hectic agenda: there is much to discuss in economic, political or regional terms. Of course, we hoped for a positive and constructive dialogue, and we have already made sure that the ongoing dialogue is such. I am pleased with it. Thank you very much,” Prime Minister Pashinyan said. 

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan, who are in the Russian Federation on a working visit, attended a gala concert dedicated to the World Foot Championship in Red Square.

The event was also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other presidents and heads of government who have arrived in Moscow to attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup. World-famous opera stars performed during the concert.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in the Russian Federation on a working visit, had working breakfast with Andrey Kostin, Chairman of the Board of the Russian VTB Bank.

The Prime Minister appreciated VTB Bank’s presence on the financial market of Armenia and its active investment activity in various sectors of the economy. Introducing his government’s priorities for the development of Armenia’s business environment and economy, Nikol Pashinyan stressed the need for the banking sector, including VTB Bank, to respond adequately to business sector developments in Armenia.

The interlocutors discussed ways of expanding VTB Bank’s activity in different spheres of the Armenian economy.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan visited the Prelacy of Holy Transformation Church of Russia and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Moscow within the framework of a working visit to Russia. They were welcomed by His Holiness Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan, Primate of Russia and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as by numerous representatives of the Armenian community.

Nikol Pashinyan called at the Mother Cathedral of the Holy Transformation Church and lit candles. The Prime Minister also toured the Tapan Museum to get acquainted with the Armenian culture and the Armenian Apostolic Church-related exhibits.

Nikol Pashinyan next visited St. Grigor Narekatsi Seminary, which will be operational on the territory of the church complex as early as this September. Up to 200 pupils can study at the Seminary. Prime Minister Pashinyan got acquainted with the conditions and opportunities created in the college. The institution boasts state-of-the-art modern equipment and highly qualified lecturers.

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Attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the bust of Soviet Union Hero, Marshal General of USSR Armored Troops Hamazasp Babadjanyan was unveiled today in Moscow’s Central Museum of Great Patriotic War.

The Prime Minister of Armenia said he was particularly proud to attend such an important event to pay tribute to Hamazasp Babadjanyan at the museum of our shared history – the Central Museum of Great Patriotic War.

“Hamazasp Babadjanyan holds a well-deserved place of its own among the Soviet Union’s brave commanders. All the way through the patriotic war, Babadjanyan led the armored troops across the frontline and was able to liberate numerous cities then under the control of the enemy.

From the Battle of Kursk to the Battle of Berlin, the great son of the Armenian people demonstrated dedication and heroism to become one of the best commanders during the Great Patriotic War. Babadjanyan used to wage war in Suvorov’s style; he beat the enemy down the subtle way rather than by outnumbering the latter.

I want to emphasize that the name of Marshal Hamazasp Babadjanyan is engraved in the annals of our people’s history along with the names of other brave warriors who fought for their homeland, who participated in the battles of Bash-Aparan, Sardarabad the centenary of which was marked last month,” Nikol Pashinyan said.

The Premier noted that the fact of Marshal Babadjanyan’s and Marshal Baghramyan’s busts being opened in this museum for less than a year evidences that well above paying tribute to the great commanders of the Great Patriotic War, Armenia and Russia thereby tend to hand their sacred memory down to the future generations.

“The Great Patriotic War was a tough test for the nations of the Soviet Union, including the Armenian people. Every second Armenian soldier, including my grandfather, whose name and last name I bear, did not return from the front. Our duty is to preserve and transmit the story of this indescribable heroism to the younger generations, as well as to do everything possible to ensure our countries’ prosperity. Today’s event is also a tribute to the dear veterans of the Great Patriotic War, as well as the symbol of the Armenian-Russian friendship, mutual assistance and understanding,” Nikol Pashinyan stated.

Sculptor Ashot Tadevosyan is the author of the bust of Hamazasp Babadjanyan.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan who is in the Russian Federation on a working visit today met with Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev.

The interlocutors discussed a number of issues related to Armenian-Russian economic relations, evoking the programs implemented in the economic sector and the planned activities. Nikol Pashinyan and Dmitry Medvedev stressed the need to step up bilateral trade based on the active and effective efforts of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. The interlocutors touched upon the cooperation within the EAEU framework, as well as on the need to expand interactions in the energy, industrial, investment and humanitarian spheres.

“Dear Nikol Vovayevich, I am first of all happy to get acquainted with you. I once again congratulate you on being elected head of government.

Armenia is our close ally, a country which together with the Russian Federation participates in integration associations and the CSTO. We are developing, as a matter of fact; I mean the economy and the social sphere. Therefore, coordination, joint work of governments is important for both the Russian Federation and for the Republic of Armenia.

The World Cup is a good occasion to “check the clocks.” Not so long ago you came over for another event and met with the President of our country. Now, too, we have a good opportunity to check the status of our relationships.

In general, I want to say that our relations are developing steadily and dynamically. This is due to the fact that Armenia’s economy has been stating good development figures recently. Our economy is developing, too, thanks to the work done within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Last October I visited Yerevan on an official visit. We signed a number of important agreements. Now we need to deal with their implementation. I expect that your government will make every effort to this end. Once again, I bid you a cordial welcome to the Hoase of Government in Moscow,” Dmitry Medvedev said.

“Thank you very much, Dmitry Anatolevich!

I am glad for the opportunity to meet you face to face. First of all, I want to congratulate you on the recently celebrated national holiday - the Day of Russia. Also, I wish to congratulate you on the World Cup’s kickoff as it is a great sporting event. Russia is the world’s focus now and I wish good luck to the Russian team in today’s match and in the tournament, in general.

The relations between Armenia and Russia are developing really well contrary to the publications that were circulated in Russian, Armenian and international media outlets during the well-known political changes in Armenia.

Now we can say with confidence that our relations have been special and will continue to be special ahead. I have no doubt about it. I hope and I am confident that our cooperation will be more effective both in the economy and other spheres.

We have already stated that our main goal with regard to the Eurasian Economic Union is to make the union and our membership more effective, to make the organization more efficient and contribute to the development of our economies.

Of course, we are ready to endeavor in this direction. We discussed these issues with the President of the Russian Federation. In general, this is a very important issue, and we are pleased with the ongoing effective work.

I do believe that our relations are developing quite positively, and we need to proceed from this positive perspective based on the principle of respect for each other’s national interests. We have a lot of common interests. I am confident that in this respect, our relations will develop very effectively. We will do our best to that effect. We boast a favorable atmosphere for this. Thus, we need to tune in to effective and dynamic work. Thank you for your readiness and Russia’s willingness to do so,” Nikol Pashinyan said.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in Russia on a working visit, had working dinner with representatives of the Armenian community at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Moscow.

The Premier introduced his government’s economic priorities. He spoke about the simplification of tax and customs administration, the fight against corruption, and the upcoming measures aimed at improving the business environment, in general. Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the consistent development of Armenian-Russian relations and the continued expansion of business ties.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Armenian Government is keen to increase the trade turnover between the two States, implement joint investment projects, and is prepared to take all necessary measure to that and.

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Accompanied by his spouse Anna Hakobyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in Moscow on a working visit, attended the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony at Luzhniki Stadium and watched the tournament’s first match between the teams of Russia and Saudi Arabia.

RF President Vladimir Putin, presidents and heads of governments of a number of countries were in attendance.