Armenian, Russian defense ministries sign 2020 cooperation program in Yerevan

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Official welcoming ceremony for Russian defense minister, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu and his delegation was held today in the Armenian defense ministry, the ministry told Armenpress.

Sergei Shoigu arrived in Armenia on an official visit.

The welcoming ceremony was followed by the private meeting of Armenian defense minister Davit Tonoyan and his Russian counterpart. After that the two ministers continued their meeting with the participation of the delegations.

In his welcoming remarks the Armenian defense minister highly valued the process of the Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation, praised the effectiveness of ongoing joint actions in the military and military-technical spheres. Davit Tonoyan expressed confidence that this visit of the Russian defense ministry will give a new impetus to the further development of the Armenian-Russian allied relations and will contribute to the strengthening of stability and security in the region.

In his turn the Russian minister thanked for the warm welcome and stated that his visit began in Gyumri, praising the friendly attitude of the locals towards the staff of the 102nd Russian military base stationed in the city.

Sergei Shoigu praised the high level of relations in the defense sphere both at the bilateral and multilateral formats and their strategic allied nature.

The meeting participants exchanged views on the current situation of the Armenian-Russian strategic allied partnership, the ways and prospects to further develop the cooperation, as well as regional and international security-related issues. They also touched upon the ongoing humanitarian mission’s activity in Syria.

Based on the results of the visit the sides signed the 2020 cooperation program between the Armenian and Russian defense ministries which includes wide range of bilateral cooperation directions.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan