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Moscow says Armenia accession to Eurasian Economic Union turns new page in bilateral ties

The new political and economic bloc Russia formed together with Kazakhstan and Belarus expanded to four nations on January 2 when Armenia formally joined it
 Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin  Anna Isakova/Russian State Duma press service/TASS
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin
© Anna Isakova/Russian State Duma press service/TASS

MOSCOW, April 8. /TASS/. Armenia’s accession to the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union opens up new opportunities for cooperation between Yerevan and Moscow, the leader of Russia's parliamentary lower house said on Wednesday.

The new political and economic bloc Russia formed together with Kazakhstan and Belarus expanded to four nations on January 2 when Armenia formally joined it, a day after the union came into operation.

State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin said at a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian: "Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union also opens a new page and a new development stage in our bilateral relations, creating even more opportunities for cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally in partnership with other member states of the Eurasian Economic Union."

"We will be happy to take new steps to expand, deepen and develop our relations," said Nalbandian.

Naryshkin also recalled that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was expected to join forthcoming World War Two commemorations in Moscow.

At present, "our immediate task is to sign two documents paving the way for Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union," Naryshkin said, adding that Russia "has fulfilled its contractual obligations".

The former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan is due to accede to the bloc by mid-year and Tajikistan is also a prospective member.