We are not just neighbors, we are allies, united by a shared history, cultural, spiritual values, the aspiration for sustainable development and prosperity of our peoples. This was stated by the speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, Valentina Matvienko, during the tenth Armenian-Russian Interregional Forum being held in Yerevan Friday.

Matvienko noted that this Russian-Armenian forum is being held for the tenth time, which bespeaks the demand and effectiveness of such a format for the development of bilateral economic, investment, humanitarian, educational, and cultural relations between the two countries.

According to her, over the years, this forum has become a prestigious platform for direct dialogue between the regions of Russia and Armenia and an effective tool for multilateral cooperation in various domains.

Matvienko added that it is at this forum that new projects are born, business ties are strengthened, solutions to shared problems are developed, and personal acquaintances are made.

"Our cooperation is built on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit. And we are not friends against anyone. We never impose anything on anyone, we never force anyone to do anything, unlike some other partners who always put the question directly: ‘either with us or with no one,’" she noted.

According to Valentina Matvienko, Armenia is a sovereign, independent, respected state, and it has the right to make its own decisions.