YEREVAN. – Armenian National Assembly (NA) Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan met separately—in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday—with Chairman Sergey Naryshkin of the State Duma of the Russian Federation (RF) and Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko of the RF Federation Council. 

During his meeting with Naryshkin, they discussed the enhancement of interparliamentary ties, cooperation within international parliamentary circles, and matters of bilateral interest.  

In terms of strengthening the Armenian-Russian interstate relations, the State Duma chairman underscored his official visit to Armenia, pointed to the need to develop interparliamentary cooperation, and highlighted the mutual visits. Also, he gave emphasis to the activities of the Armenian NA and RF Federation Council Interparliamentary Commission.   

In his turn, Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the Armenian-Russian ties are actively developing. He pointed to the developing interparliamentary relations and deepening cooperation within international parliamentary circles, and added that Armenia attaches a great importance to the activities of the CSTO, NA informs.    

Next, the Armenian parliament leader met with RF Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko.

Matviyenko stressed that Armenia is an important strategic partner for Russia, and she highly appreciated the contribution by the presidents of the two countries in consolidating Armenian-Russian relations. Reflecting on her official visit to Armenia in July, she once again extended her thanks to Hovik Abrahamyan for the warm reception. Valentina Matviyenko stressed that after her visit the Armenian-Russian ties have entered a qualitatively new phase. Also, she underscored the need to further deepen interparliamentary ties, and stressed that Russia gives a high assessment to the Armenian authorities’ efforts being carried out toward the country's progress and development of Armenian-Russian relations.        

Hovik Abrahamyan noted the dynamically developing Armenian-Russian interaction and interparliamentary ties. He stressed that Armenia underscores the strengthening of interaction with Russia, and he likewise highly appreciated Valentina Matviyenko’s official visit to Armenia. Also, Abrahamyan noted that the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly is very important for the CIS member countries.      

The interlocutors highlighted the activities of the Armenian NA and RF Federation Council Interparliamentary Commission.   

At the end of the meeting, Valentina Matviyenko invited Hovik Abrahamyan to Russia for an official visit.