YEREVAN (Combined Sources)—Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accompanied by his wife, Svetlana Medvedeva, arrived in Yerevan on Thursday on a state visit and were greeted at Zvartnots airport by President Serzh Sarkisian and his wife, Rita.
The first stop for Medvedev was Dzidzernagapert, where he laid a wreath at the monument to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. He also visited the adjacent Memory Part, where he watered a tree he planted during his 2008 visit. Medvedev was accompanied by Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian.
Medvedev and Sarkisian are scheduled to meet Friday for a closed-door meeting, to be followed by talks with delegations representing the two countries.
Accompanying Medvedev to Armenia are Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov, Transport Minister Igor Levitin, Russia’s Ambassador to Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko and other officials.
The main objective of the visit is the signing of documents prolonging Russia’s military operations in Armenia.
Corresponding amendments to a 1995 treaty regulating the presence of a Russian military base in Armenia will extend Russia’s basing rights by 24 years, to 2044, and upgrade the mission of its troops stationed in Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri close to the border with Turkey. According to a relevant “protocol” submitted to Medvedev by the Russian government, besides “performing functions on defending the interests of the Russian Federation,” the Russian military base also “jointly with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia ensures the security of the Republic of Armenia.” The document also commits Russia to supplying its regional ally with “modern and compatible weaponry and special military hardware,” reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The two leaders are also scheduled to visit Gyumri and preside over the inauguration of Hill of Honor, the resting place of Russian officers killed during Russia-Turkish wars of the 19th century.
Following the inauguration ceremony, the two leaders will travel to Lake Sevan for an informal summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization leaders.
God bless Mother Russia and God bless our Hayrenik. Russian-Armenian alliance is the last front against pan-Turkism, American imperialism, NATO expansionism and Islamic fundamentalism.
ABSOLUTE RIGHT !!!.
Arn.Sweden.
I command President Medvedev for honoring our more than 1.5 Million Martyrs by visiting Dsidsernagapert and planting a tree. I also command President Serge Sarkisian for his political maturity by collaborating well with the Russians to prolonging military alliance and joint Armed Forces with them and until 2044. I am thrilled about this news for the security of Armenia as well as for Artsakh. Both the Turks and especially the Azeris can now go and fly kites. They won’t be able to come close to Armenia or Artsakh!!!! Wonderful news indeed, this is a good day!!!!
Seervart
This is the results of a failed-US State Department policy towards Armenia. Two decades of hostile and nonconstructive failed-US State Dept treatment of Armenia.
During Hillary Clinton’s stupid visit to Armenia on July 4th, she insisted on visiting the genocide memorial as an individual and requested that no Armenian officials accompany her.
Berge Jololian says:
August 19, 2010 at 8:00 pm
This is the results of a failed-US State Department policy towards Armenia. Two decades of hostile and nonconstructive failed-US State Dept treatment of Armenia.
NOT ONLY AGAINST ARMENIA BUT AGAINST THE KURDS ALMOST A CENTURY.
NOW THE US BECAUSE OF THIS FOOLISHNESS,
WILL LOOSE ALL INFLUENSE IN THIS REGION,
AND EVEN IN THE WHOLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST.
THEY ALSO HAS DONE THE SAME FOOLISHNESS IN THE BALKANS DURING CLINTONS RULE,
THIS WESTERN SERBIAN ORIENTATION IN SERBIAS POLICY WILL NOT LAST.
THE US HAS LOST ITS WAY AS THE PROMOTER OF FREEDOM,
SHE HAS FALLEN PREY TO HER DEMIGOD THE DOLLAR,
THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY HAS LEFT HER AND CHOSEN ANOTHER PEOPLE.
THE ORTODOX PEOPLES WILL BE THE PROTECTION AGAINST –
Avetis says:
August 19, 2010 at 4:57 pm
God bless Mother Russia and God bless our Hayrenik. Russian-Armenian alliance is the last front against pan-Turkism, American imperialism, NATO expansionism and Islamic fundamentalism.
Reply
WELL – AGAINST EU EXPANSIONISM ALSO !!!.
Arn.Sweden.
Medvedev and Sarkisian are scheduled to meet Friday for a closed-door meeting
YES-YES-YES – !!!.
GOD BLESS – !!!.
I SALUTE THEE TOWN OF MY FORFATHER –
Armenia’s second largest city – Gyumri close to the border with Turkey.
Arn.Sweden.
And for sure, hopefully, President B. Obamma, will one day, soon, lay a wreath at Didzernagaperd and finally
acknowledge the Turkish crime of the Armenian Genocide. America stop being hostage of Turkey. Turkey is not ally of no one…
Somebody should teach mrs. Sarkissian about the dress codes of the first lady
Common Varoujan, She is a very pretty lady and there is nothing wrong being in a dress; however she should have had a short sleeve added to her lovely dress. A first lady doesn’t necessarily have to wear a suit, but a pretty dress is perfectly fine. Although I think the protocol is even in the summer time to wear a dress with a short sleeve and not sleevless. If you are referring to that, then I can understand your comment. I think overall though Mrs. Sarkissian is a lovely ladey.
That picture of mr Medvedev laying wreath brought tears to my eyes, specilally the timing of it, going there DIRECTLY after arrival to the airport.We salute him for his courage and and showing such a closeness to our nation.God bless him and his parents and his nation.