The peoples of Russia and Armenia want to further deepen interpersonal ties, Russian foreign ministry representative Sergey Nyupa told RIA Novosti.

“Regardless of the political situation, the peoples of our country and Armenia want to continue building and deepening the centuries-old interpersonal ties,” Nyupa said in Mineralnye Vody, Russia.

Russian-Armenian cooperation continues to develop at the level of local and regional contacts, Nyupa emphasized, especially mentioning cultural and humanitarian ties. He recalled that Armenian musicians, painters, and sculptors traditionally participate in competitions and festivals held in Russia’s Stavropol Region.

Also, there are sister city agreements between the cities of Armenia and Stavropol, Nyupa added. Thus, since 2013, Stavropol and Yerevan have been sister cities, and since 2018, Pyatigorsk and Dilijan.

“The parties are actively cooperating at the level of representatives of local self-government bodies and public organizations in the fields of culture, education, science, youth policy, and social work,” Nyupa added.