Putin: Russia not determined to leave South Caucasus
Russia is not determined to leave the South Caucasus region. On the contrary, it plans to strengthen its presence in the region, Russian President Vladimir Putin said today in his remarks at the third Armenian-Russian Interregional Conference titled “Russia. Armenia. Customs Union” in Gyumri.
Speaking about bilateral economic ties between Armenia and Russia, Mr Putin noted that trade turnover between the two countries rose 20% this year to USD 1.2bn and Russian investments in Armenia reached USD 3bn.
As for economic problems, the Russian leader stressed that integration processes in the post-Soviet area create serious opportunities for Armenia’s progress, adding that he will personally boost the process of Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union.