Russia

[ED]

ITAR-TASS News Agency

TASS

October 6, 2003 Monday

 

Putin highly praises role of Armenians in Russia

 

By Mikhail Petrov

 

 

The contribution of Armenians in all the sectors of the country's

life is highly appreciated in Russia, President Vladimir Putin told

the Congress of the World Armenian Organization, which is currently

under way here. "It has long since been noted that the citizens of a

state, both within it and abroad, feel themselves much more confident

when their country develops successfully and wields authority," he

added.

 

It is understood full well in Russia, he noted, that you are very

eager to contribute to the development of modern Armenia, which is a

sovereign, independent, democratic and definitely very promising

country, both from the economic and international-political points of

view". "I hope the contribution of the Armenian diaspora to their

historical homeland will grow and develop parallel with

Russo-Armenian business partnership," the Russian leader stressed.

According to Putin, the Armenian community in Russia ranks among the

most ancient and largest ones. The peoples of our two countries have

been traditionally linked for centuries. "Our fathers and

grandfathers had fought in different wars for the sake of our common

victories, including in the bloodiest Great Patriotic War, which they

all regarded as Patriotic," the president stressed.

 

In view of this, Putin noted, the holding of the constituent congress

of the World Armenian Organization in Moscow is an event of

exceptional importance and a really historical function in the full

sense of the word. The Russian president expressed the conviction

that the works of poet Ovanes Tumanyan, artist Martiros Saryan, and

composer Aram Khachaturyan would forever be a common legacy of the

people of the two countries. "Armenians all over the world take pride

in those names and this is true of us in Russia, too" Putin stated.

 

The president noted that Russia and Armenia had close relations over

many long centuries. He cited the decree of Peter the Great, saying:

"The Armenians must be most kindly treated and encouraged in every

way to come to Russia". "No sooner said than done in a matter of only

three hundred years," Putin noted with a smile.

 

The president jokingly said he was surprised to see Russian Foreign

Minister Igor Ivanov at the Congress since the latter has Georgian

not Armenian roots. "Ivanov replied by saying he represented all the

Caucasian nationalities within the government," Putin narrated.

 

The president wished the Congress participants and all the Armenian

people peace, good luck and prosperity.

 

 

 

http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg75016.html