YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Armenian President Robert Kocharian sent a message to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Russia. The message–in particular–reads:
"The Armenian-Russian strategic partnership is based on good friendly relations coming up from centuries–common destiny in the united country and similarity of national interests between the two nations.
"Full legal grounds are created for the development of multilateral and diverse inter-state relations over the last years. I would like to single out particularly two documen’s manifesting the political trends of our relations: the agreement on friendship–cooperation and mutual assistance–signed August 29–1997 and the declaration on allied cooperation between Armenia and Russia–directed to the 21st century–signed September 26–2000.
"The present phase of the Armenian-Russian relations is characterized by the development of mutually efficient economic cooperation. We think the economy should become the basis for our relations.
"While referring to the September 11 tragic events in New York–we should mention that Armenia and Russia are successfully cooperating within the framework of the international anti-terrorism campaign–bringing their contribution to the struggle against this evil.
"Armenia highly values Russia’s role in the process of the regulation of the Karabakh conflict. We support the peaceful regulation of conflicts in the region. The Armenian foreign policy is directed to secure building cooperation between the Caucasus countries–which will create favorable atmosphere for the regulation of problems in the region."