Russia remains committed to its security obligations towards Armenia, both bilaterally and through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Russia’s Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin has said.
In an interview with the Russian Izvestia newspaper, the ambassador was asked on the prospects of Armenia resuming participation in the CSTO and whether Yerevan’s move to freeze its membership has impacted the dynamics of bilateral ties with Moscow.
“Speaking about ensuring Armenia’s security, we are committed to the stance that there are no comparable real alternatives to the Russian-Armenian allied cooperation, including within the framework of the CSTO. Russia remains committed to its obligations on ensuring Armenia’s security, both in the bilateral format, as well as through the CSTO,” Ambassador Kopyrkin said in the interview.
He said Moscow expects Yerevan’s active involvement in the joint efforts to develop an equal and integral security system in the Eurasian continent.
“This idea was brought forward by President of Russia Vladimir Putin during the June 14 meeting with the Russian foreign ministry leadership, and he reiterated it during the BRICS summit in Kazan,” the ambassador said.
Kopyrkin has expressed hope that the Armenia-Russia trade turnover would reach a record high of $14-16 billion.
Kopyrkin said the dynamic development of trade between the two countries is mostly due to the cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Without the productive work by the EEU bodies, the “impressive indicators” of bilateral trade would be impossible, he added. The regulatory work within the union contributed to the fact that Russia is among the top investors in the Armenian economy, the ambassador said.
“The total level of accumulated Russian investments amounts to approximately 4 billion dollars,” the ambassador said, referring to Russian investments in the Armenian economy. Trade turnover in the first half of 2024 amounted to over $8,3 billion compared to the 7,4 billion dollars of the same period of 2023.
“We expect to maintain the pace and reach a record 14-16 billion dollars. We are also working on launching joint economic projects in Armenia that would have tangible contribution in the development of industry in Armenia, create new jobs and increase tax revenues.”
Moscow is eager to see swift peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to Kopyrkin.
At the same time, the crucial peace treaty must be based on the fair resolution of all mutual concerns, Kopyrkin said. Kopyrkin was asked on the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization and the probability of a peace treaty being signed in 2024.
“As a rule, the preparation of any peace treaty is a painstaking and highly responsible process,” the ambassador said.
“Naturally, Moscow is eager to see sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan as soon as possible. At the same time, it is important for that crucial document for the region to be based on the fair resolution of all mutual concerns, without any bitter consequences for any of the parties,” the Russian envoy said.
Asked whether Russia is ready like before to support the signing of a peace treaty, the ambassador said: "We have clearly seen that achieving mutually-acceptable compromise between Yerevan and Baku is a difficult and time-consuming process given the developments that followed the collapse of the USSR.”
Ambassador Kopyrkin said Russia is always ready to provide support to Armenians and Azerbaijanis in normalizing their bilateral relations, in line with the letter and spirit of the 2020-2022 trilateral agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“They, the negotiating parties, should chose the types and volumes of such support. From this perspective we are glad that productive contacts took place between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the highest level during the October 24 BRICS summit in Kazan, which allowed to convey a useful signal to the normalization dialogue,” the Russian ambassador said.
