“Joint pursuit of Ukraine and Armenia to deepen friendly relations opens up new opportunities for perspective developments of the mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of both nations,” Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko’s felicitating message to Serzh Sargsyan on the 18th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence reads.

“With great pleasure I state a significant progress by our two countries within 18 years of independence in the course of bilateral relations’ establishment based on partnership, neighborliness and mutual respect,” the President’s message says.