Earlier, Nikol Pashinyan took part in a session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, as well as in an informal meeting of CIS leaders at the State Hermitage Museum.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Pashinyan, I would like to welcome you once again and thank you for participating in these events under the auspices of the EAEU and the CIS.
We have already exchanged views on the results of our yesterday’s and today’s work. Overall, in my opinion, everything proceeded at a very high level. I hope the atmosphere was positive, but the most important thing is that our teams worked diligently from all sides and prepared excellent documents. Everything has been signed, and everything is progressing.
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Regarding bilateral relations, they are developing. Our trade turnover has seen an adjustment, as we discussed yesterday. If in 2024 it surpassed $11 billion, in the first nine months of this year it reached 4.5 billion. This is also a good indicator and gives us reason to believe that in the near future, we will be able to increase it.
We also have promising plans. We have already spoken about energy, including nuclear energy. We will not delve into detail now, but there is an opportunity to discuss this further.
The same applies to logistics: during our last meeting, you raised questions about various areas where we could work together. I am referring to the restoration of old routes and the creation of new ones that would open up Armenia’s borders.
So, overall, everything is progressing. Naturally, there are other issues we can discuss now.
I am very pleased to see you. Thank you for being here.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan: Thank you very much, Mr Putin, for the invitation.
I believe we have had two quite eventful days together, both within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union and the CIS. Of course, very important decisions were made, and now this is the logical conclusion of my working visit to St Petersburg.
Certainly, very significant and, fortunately, positive developments are taking place in our region. I would like to thank you for your support of the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As we discussed following our telephone conversation after August 8, the achieved peace will open new opportunities for the further development of bilateral relations between Armenia and Russia.
This has already happened, as trains are now arriving from Russia to Armenia via the territory of Azerbaijan, which I believe is truly a historic event.
As you have already mentioned, new opportunities are emerging – indeed, an agenda has matured: the restoration of some other railway sections in our country. Specifically, I am referring to the sectors of Ijevan, Yeraskh, and Akhuryan – these are railways connecting Armenia with the territory of Azerbaijan, with the mainland of Azerbaijan, with Nakhchivan, and with Turkiye.
A rather active political process is underway. I cannot say that there are already political decisions to open these railways, but I believe the situation has matured to the point where preparatory work should begin.
At the same time, we are also conducting very constructive bilateral negotiations with the United States regarding the start of the implementation and construction of the TRIPP road.
These are truly very significant and substantive changes in our region. There are also many nuances here concerning our bilateral relations with the Russian Federation. Today, I think, is a very good occasion to discuss all these issues.
Once again, thank you for the invitation, for the excellent programme, and for the wonderful atmosphere and highly professional organisation of the working and cultural events.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.
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