Intellectuals of Armenia and Russia call on establishing a new  discussion platform

ArmInfo.A number of intellectuals of Armenia and Russia call on Russian and Armenian societies establishing a new discussion platform. 

In the Statement received by ArmInfo, in particular, it is noted that  Russia and Armenia have developed centuries long  relations. "During  this time, our peoples experienced together the bitterness of losses  and the joy of victories. We also had difficult periods of mutual  misunderstanding and distrust, fortunately, they were short. But our  countries, our peoples always had an ineradicable sense of justice  and a desire to preserve peace and trust. This is all the more  relevant now, when in international relations signs of instability,  intolerance and unpredictability are growing, many regional conflicts  are becoming aggravated and hardening ", the message says. The  document also notes that both Russia and Armenia must be strong in  order to overcome external and internal challenges to their  sustainable development. It is not by chance that at all stages of  independence Russia and Armenia supported each other, which is  confirmed by joint participation in the CIS, the Eurasian Economic  Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. In such a  situation, only joint, bilateral and multilateral actions can be  productive.  "However, this is not enough, especially now. It is  vitally important to establish and maintain informal contacts between  representatives of both states from the most diverse sectors of  scientific, cultural, government and social activities, as well as  business structures. The more extensive and regular such contacts  are, the higher will be the level of mutual trust between the public  and state organizations of Russia and Armenia, the societies of our  countries. As an informal, free and permanent platform for meetings  and exchange of views, we, as representatives of different field of  the socio-political, economic and cultural life of Russia and  Armenia, are taking the initiative to set up a new discussion  platform for deepening the dialogue between our civil societies. We  suggest calling it the "Lazarev Club" in the name of Armenian  benefactors Lazarevs, the founders of the Lazarev Institute of  Oriental Languages in Russia, which became the forerunner of the  Institute of Asian and African Countries at Moscow State University  and of the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Affairs of Russia) ",  the statement reads. 

The Club is expected to become a voluntary association of citizens of  Russia and Armenia who will work jointly to support the  Russian-Armenian public dialogue at various levels, establish,  maintain and strengthen working, business and scientific contacts,  encouraging interaction and mutual enrichment of the cultures of our  peoples. It is also planned to carry out joint public-political  initiatives and projects, freely share private and expert opinions on  the most pressing issues of bilateral relations, conduct expert and  analytical assessments of the state and prospects for the development  of bilateral and multilateral relations in the Caucasus region. The  club's task will also include holding collective meetings of club  members to discuss topical issues of regional and global politics,  economics, issues of history and culture, meetings of bilateral  working groups, joint participation in scientific, social and  cultural events organized by partner organizations concerning  relations between Armenia and Russia, bringing the results of joint  research, appeals and proposals to the highest level of executive and  legislative power of both states, leadership of leading international  organizations.

"Lazarev Club" will conduct its work publicly and openly, by  organizing meetings, "round tables" and public hearings in Russia and  Armenia. We hope that the meetings in the Club will help form a  positive attitude for further constructive work to strengthen mutual  trust and allied cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of our  countries, in the interests of ensuring security and stability  throughout the Greater Caucasus region.

The Russian-Armenian Lazarev Club is open for cooperation in the  interest of fostering dialogue, developing and strengthening people's  diplomacy for the benefit of the peoples of Armenia and Russia, both  with state and public organizations and with private individuals, the  message reads. The statement was signed by the Head of the Board of  Directors of the AVILON Group of Companies Kamo Avagumyan, journalist  Roman Babayan, public figure Zori Balayan, deputy of the National  Assembly Artashes Geghamyan, State Duma MP Konstantin Zatulin,  Ambassador of the Russian Federation Vladimir Kazimirov, President of  the Tashir Group of Companies Samvel Karapetyan, Chairman of the  Public Council of Armenia Vazgen Manukyan, Member of the Council of  Federations Nikolay Ryzhkov, State Duma Deputy Vyacheslav Nikonov,  State Duma Deputy Artur Chilingarov, Director General of the Mosfilm  Studio Karen Shakhnazarov and others.