Foreign Policy

Armenian-Russian relations have always played a special role in Armenia's foreign policy. As a result of strategic cooperation, more than 160 interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental treaties and agreements have been concluded between the two countries. In 2000, after the first official visit of the RA President Robert Kocharyan to the Russian Federation, the Armenian-Russian relations entered a new dimension. Among the debated and settled issues and the signed documents, it is noteworthy to also point out the agreement on visa-free travel for RA and RF citizens. Armenia became the first country to conclude such an agreement with the Russian Federation since when Russia unilaterally terminated its participation in the Bishkek Treaty. One of the most important outcomes of the RA President's visit was the Declaration "On Allied Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, oriented towards the 21st century", which triggered a new phase in the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership.

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Economic cooperation between the two friendly countries was regulated by the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Armenia and Russia. Year on year, the Armenian-Russian economic cooperation developed progressively: natural gas and nuclear fuel for the ANPP were supplied from Russia, natural diamonds were also imported, the processing of which became one of the most important sectors of Armenia’s economy. On September 15, 2001, within the framework of the official visit of the RA President to the Russian Federation, the Agreement on the principles of cooperation between the RA and RF Governments and the regions of Armenia and administrative units of Russia was signed, which allowed to carry out large-scale activities in this direction.

In December 2006, the Year of Armenia in Russia was launched at the state level and on a large scale. The opening ceremony was held at the State Kremlin Palace in the presence of the presidents of both countries — Vladimir Putin and Robert Kocharyan. During that year, scientific conferences, business forums, exhibitions and concerts were organized, which enriched the Armenian-Russian cooperation, identified new horizons in the fields of science, education and culture, and strengthened the relationships between business representatives of both countries. This major event was a logical continuation of the Year of Russia in Armenia, held in 2005-2006, which was also organized at the highest state level.

In general, the development of the Armenian-Russian relations in 1997-2008 reinforced the determination for broad allied collaboration, intensive deepening of cohesion in all spheres, ensuring sound peace, stability and guaranteed security in the Caucasus region and throughout the world.

In 1998-2007, the volume of investments attracted from the Russian Federation to the real sector of the economy amounted to 1,097.39 million USD. Direct investments amounted to 734.12 million USD. In 1998-2007, the compound annual growth rate of investments from the Russian Federation was 29.71%.

In 2007, the volume of foreign investments from the Russian Federation attracted to the real sector of the economy exceeded that of 1998 by 10.40 times, and in 2008 – by 20.36 times.

In 1998-2007, the volume of foreign investments attracted from the Russian Federation to the real sector of the economy amounted to 32.88% of the total volume, and in 1998-2008 — 43.03%.

The year 2001 was marked by the broadening and deepening of the Armenian-French bilateral relations. Armenia became a member of the Council of Europe, as a result of which the country's international authority and responsibility in the areas of democracy, the establishment of the rule of law and the strengthening of human rights climbed to a new level. Armenia appreciates and attaches great importance to France's effective assistance in this process.

In 2001, France recognized the 1915 Armenian Genocide upon a special law. This was an important historical step not only for the Armenian people, but also for all mankind. This law is a logical reflection of the traditionally friendly French-Armenian relations, as well as a significant success of the Armenian diplomacy.

As a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, France demonstrates constructive participation and has always made significant efforts towards peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Year of Armenia in France held in 2006-2007, under the motto "Armenia is my friend", was the best manifestation of the friendly relations between France and Armenia. Within the Year of Armenia in France, more than 850 events were held in 165 cities of France. These events included political, economic, social spheres, as well as all the cultural directions.

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In 1998-2007, the volume of investments from France in the real sector of the Armenian economy amounted to 180.67 million USD, and in 1998-2008 — 271.42 million USD. Direct investments amounted to 141.70 and 225.46 million USD, respectively. In 1998-2007, the cumulative annual growth rate of investment from France was 1.05%, and in 1998-2008 — 18.19%. In 2007, the volume of foreign investment attracted from France to the real sector of the economy exceeded the index of 1998 by 1.10 times, and in 2008 — by 5.32 times.

In 1998-2007, the volume of investment from France in the real sector of the economy was 5.41% of the total volume, and in 1998-2008 — 5.91%.

In 2004, the RA President had an official visit to China. The leaders of both countries — Robert Kocharyan and Hu Jintao, during the negotiations held on September 27, stated that in the future bilateral cooperation, Armenia and China would consider trade and economic relations as a priority. In the adopted joint Declaration, the Heads of the countries stated that they "encourage and protect the activities of both countries aimed at developing mutually beneficial cooperation in various forms, along with the increasing investments." Following this visit, some documents were signed, among them the intergovernmental agreements on trade and economic cooperation, including those in the field of seismic protection, as well as an interdepartmental cultural exchange program.

The country’s European orientation and the European integration processes in 1998-2007 were the priorities of the RA foreign policy. In our country, the EU has implemented many assistance programs, including targeted financial assistance. The European Union has gradually become Armenia's largest trading partner, with a trade turnover of 441.93 million USD in January - April 2007 alone. Since 1998, both sides have recorded significant progress in the relations between Armenia and the European Union Member States.

In 1999, the “Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Armenia” entered into force. This Agreement created a legal framework for cooperation between Armenia and the EU, regulating the entire range of Armenia's relations with EU structures and EU Member States. As a result of signing the Action Plan within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy, the range of issues of bilateral interest had significantly expanded, including the traditional issues of democracy, human rights, economic development, poverty reduction, regional cooperation, science, education, social security and other issues and areas. In 1998-2007, Armenia significantly intensified its work with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The importance of the OSCE for Armenia was immense in terms of the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the mediation mission of which was assumed by the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairs — Russia, the United States and France.

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The RA Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe started functioning from April 2001, and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the CoE and the Information Office of the CoE officially started operating in Yerevan since July 8, 2003.