Armenian PM expects Putin to visit Yerevan in 2019

BRUSSELS, March 6. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to make an official visit to Yerevan in 2019, as he himself told TASS while on a two-day visit to Brussels. "We will hold several meetings this year, particularly on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union [EAEU] summit. Besides, I hope that Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] will make an official visit to Yerevan and I will visit Moscow," he said. According to Pashinyan, the parties are currently discussing potential dates for these visits. "The last discussion took place a week ago when I spoke to the Russian president on the phone, we discussed this matter. Our administrations continue this work," he explained. In addition, Pashinyan said he planned to meet with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in the near future. "There will be meetings not only with the Russian president but also with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev," he noted. In this regard, the Armenian prime minister pointed out that on April 29, Yerevan would host a meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council. The prime ministers of all EAEU member states, including Medvedev, are expected to take part in the meeting, Pashinyan added. Cooperation with Russia and EU When speaking about the purpose of his visit to Brussels, the Armenian prime minister emphasized that his country’s cooperation with the European Union was transparent. "I would like to point out that this process is absolutely transparent for our Russian partners," he said. "The important thing is that the EU neither raises political issues nor imposes conditions," Pashinyan added. "This cooperation concerns only the democratic reforms in Armenia, particularly given last year’s events. The reform agenda is very important to us," he stressed. As for relations with Russia, the Armenian prime minister said that activities within the Eurasian Economic Union were the country’s priority. "The fact is that within the EAEU, Russia is our major economic partner. On the one hand, it is a good thing, but on the other, it makes us think about boosting these ties. It is very important to us to make sure our trade with other EAEU members stands at a good level because it will mean that the union is progressing and we will do everything to that end," he noted. While in Brussels, Pashinyan has held talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council President Donald Tusk and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. The Armenian prime minister also addressed the European Parliament. Read more