“I can assure you that there is a consensus in Armenia: no one has ever questioned the strategic importance of the Armenian-Russian relations, and I think it will not be questioned ahead,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated today at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi.

To note, the meeting took place on the margins of the Eurasian Supreme Council underway in Sochi.

“We are firmly determined and full of energy to give new impetus to our relationships in the political and trade-economic spheres. We hope to develop relations in the military-technical sphere and in other areas,” Pashinyan added, as quoted by the government press service.

The PM next praised Russia’s balanced position during Armenia’s internal political crisis, saying: “I think it was a very constructive position that is highly appreciated not only by our government, but also by the Armenian society.

Putin in turn assured that Russia remains a leading trade and economic partner for Armenia, with a share of about 40% investments in Armenia’s economy. “Recently, we had a 25% increase in trade turnover, while the volume of imports from Armenia is growing at a progressive pace: it reached the mark of 38% over the past few months. This is a very good dynamics, and I hope that we will manage not only to maintain, but also to build on it,” said the Russian president, adding: “I wish you every success in the post of Prime Minister and I hope that our relations will continue to develop in the same way as it has been so far. We will work with the same activity on the international arena, in international organizations, including the United Nations, where Armenia and Russia have always supported each other, and the regional organizations, as well as in the matters of security and economic development.”