At the beginning of his address, President Putin said it was flattering and symbolic that the forum was organised by the Union of Armenians of Russia and that Moscow was chosen as its venue. He stressed that the Armenian community in Russia was one of the world’s oldest Armenian communities and probably the largest in the world.
He expressed confidence that the World Armenian Organisation would make its contribution to the fight against terrorism and religious extremism.
Russia, he said, was ready to continue its peacekeeping role in regulating the conflicts in the Southern Caucasus region together with its partners in the CIS. He stressed that turning the Caucasus into a region of stability and economic cooperation was a common task of immense importance.
Representatives of nearly 140 organisations from 52 countries took part in the congress.