Armenian President Stresses the Importance of Russian Presence in the Caucasus

Russia's presence in Armenia and in the Caucasus at large is a factor of stability in the region and an important element of security, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan disclosed in the course of his meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The two leaders have a lot to discuss, Vladimir Putin said as opening the meeting. According to the Russian President, the issues to be discussed concern bilateral relations, as well as cooperation on the international arena, primarily within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS.

Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to the Armenian leadership "for the favourable conditions they provided for Russian troops, which are being withdrawn from Georgia and partly deployed at the Russian military base in Armenia".