Russian-Armenian combined military force to ensure security - joint statement of presidents

MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan welcomed the establishment of the two countries’ combined military force. "Russia and Armenia will strengthen the role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization as a guarantor of its member states’ security, boost its input to international efforts aimed at combating security threats and challenges," the two presidents said in a joint statement adopted at Wednesday’s talks. "In this connection, the establishment of the Russian-Armenian Combined Military Force is extremely important," the statement reads. According to the two presidents, Russia and Armenia "will continue dialogue and close coordination of efforts to protect borders, combat terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, organized trans-border crime and other threats and challenges." Moscow and Yerevan are also "determined to develop integration processes in Eurasia and consider strengthening the Eurasian Economic Union as their priority." "Russia and Armenia’s stances are close or coincide, which facilitates close interaction on the international level, particularly within the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and other international organizations, aimed at strengthening regional and global security and solving pressing issues," the statement adds. The two presidents confirmed their intention "to boost mutually beneficial economic cooperation, promote the diversification and growth of mutual trade, create conditions for both countries’ businesses, deepen cooperation in the energy sector, namely the nuclear energy sector, steel industry, manufacturing industry, transport and communications as well as enhance cooperation between banking and financial institutions." The statement also says that Russia and Armenia "will further strengthen spiritual and cultural ties between the peoples of the two countries, scientific and cultural cooperation, as well as take steps to develop tourism industry, expand youth exchanges and interaction between civil societies." Putin and Sargsyan added that "the further development of the Russian-Armenian relations will ensure peaceful and prosperous future of the two countries’ peoples." Readmore