ArmInfo. You have visited Armenia in a very difficult, one might say, crisis period. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian said this at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. As reported by the press service of the head of state, Sarkissian stated that in the old days there are serious problems in the economic sector, a difficult post-war situation has developed, problems, including psychological ones. According to him, on top of everything else, there are problems caused by the coronavirus. Sarkissian spoke about difficulties in general and in foreign policy.
At the same time, the President thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, first of all, for everything that he has done for Armenia and the region over all these years and asked to convey to the President of the Russian Federation the gratitude of the Armenian people, especially for their support in these difficult days.
"It doesn't matter where the Armenians live, they know that if it were not for your efforts and Vladimir Vladimirovich, we would continue to lose young lives today. In the first days of the war, we knew that all the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation, the president personally, were aimed at cessation of hostilities. We are convinced once again that real friendship manifests itself in difficult times, "Sarkissian said, pointing out that there are two problems that need to be addressed immediately and consistently so that they do not grow.
According to the RA President, the most important thing is the cessation of hostilities, which should continue in the coming years. "This is very important for Armenia, it is vitally important. And the second question that worries me very much is related to stability in our country. Despite the difficulties, the crisis situation, solutions can always be found. Our children, relatives and enemies will be watching how Armenia gets out of this situation and if it comes out with dignity, united, then we can say that we are a strong nation, "Sparkisian said.
In turn, Lavrov said that the talks held in Yerevan allow considering the entire spectrum of Armenian- Russian relations and agreeing on those issues that will deepen them in such a way as to increase their effectiveness, primarily for the citizens of the two countries.
He also expressed gratitude for the high appraisal of Russian efforts in the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh.
" As you said, it made it possible to stop the war. For the first time after so many agreements, the ceasefire really works, because there is a mechanism for monitoring the ceasefire. This is the consent of Azerbaijan and Armenia to conduct peacekeeping operations and they are already carrying out their activities, both by ensuring the cessation of hostilities and by providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Nagorno- Karabakh. By order of President Putin, an Inter-Departmental Humanitarian Response Center is being created, which will help resolve humanitarian issues of the population as soon as possible. We are actively involving international organizations in this process, "Lavrov said.
The interlocutors also touched upon other issues on the agenda of the Armenian-Russian cooperation.