December 2, 2013 – 18:14 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian and Russian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Serzh Sargsyan attended the opening of the 3rd interregional forum “Armenia. Russia. Customs Union” in Gyumri.

The presidents also visited an exhibit organized on the sidelines of the forum, as well as the Sochi 2014 Olympics stamps cancellation ceremony. After the forum, the two countries’ leaders will lay flowers at the memorial to the victims of the 1988 Spitak earthquake and visit the Gyumri-based 102nd Russian military base.

The two leaders also took part in the launching ceremony of the 5th unit of Hrazdan thermal power plant via a video conference.

As Putin stated at the forum, Russia has no intention to abandon Transcaucasia, instead trying to strengthen ties with the states in the region, including Armenia.

He further characterized Armenia’s decision to move towards the Eurasian integration project as the country’s sovereign choice, with Russia to take every effort to support Armenia on its way.

In conclusion, the Russian leader expressed confidence that Armenia’s joining the Eurasian integration project will strengthen the country’s economic potential, improve investment climate and boost business contacts.