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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and Minister of Economic Development Maxim Oreshkin represented Russia at the meeting.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister,

We have seen each other not so long ago – in was in Sochi on the 14^th [of May], I believe. However, given the strategic nature of our relations and the wide variety of areas of cooperation, I think our meetings are always helpful.

Thank you for coming. Now, we can talk about bilateral affairs as part of this international sporting event.

The only thing I would like to say at the outset is that Russia is Armenia’s top trading partner. We are the number one partner in trade and economic relations. Last year, our trade grew by more than 30 percent, and this year is also showing strong growth.

Incidentally, this is largely due to an increased supply of agricultural produce to the Russian market. Of course, we both think Armenia's accession to the EAEU had a positive effect, which is obvious. I hope we will continue to move in this direction.

I am very glad to see you and discuss our relations.

Welcome!

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan: Mr President,

First, let me congratulate you on the recent national holiday, Russia Day. Yesterday, I was at the Russian Embassy in Yerevan and extended my congratulations on this occasion.

Of course, I congratulate you on the World Cup, because this is an important and big event of a global scale, and the entire world is focused on Moscow. Thank you for the invitation, of course.

We met for the first time a month ago, and the fact that we are meeting again 30 days later, I think, is indicative of the special relations between Armenia and Russia. I think that this also shows that the statements made a month ago were not just fully justified, but are now being acted on.

Of course, Armenia and Russia enjoy a special relationship. I am confident that relations will continue to be special, and will become even more special. Of course, it is very important for us, Armenia and the government of Armenia, which represents the people of Armenia, to enjoy such a reception in Russia, both in Sochi and Moscow.

Of course, this underscores the atmosphere which we managed to create over these months. And I think that everyone – both in Armenia and Russia – is happy with this progress. Also, everyone is hopeful that progress in relations will be facilitated by respect between the two peoples, the two states and by respect for the interests and the sovereignty of our respective countries. It is very important.

It is important for me that we have the opportunity – and I am confident that in the future we will also have this opportunity – to meet frequently and discuss the entire agenda of our relations. We are all aware that the agenda of our relations is fairly extensive, and there are lots of economic, political and regional issues.

Of course, we hope for a positive and constructive dialogue. We had the chance to see for ourselves that our dialogue is indeed like that. I am very happy about that and I think that both the Armenian people and the Russian people are happy about this as well.

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