The last days of the passing year are coming to an end. Looking back, I can confidently say that despite the challenges and difficulties, we have consistently worked so that the allied and strategic partnership relations between Russia and Armenia successfully pass the test of strength. This was stated in the message of Russian ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin on the occasion of the coming New Year.

"Our [two] countries have maintained political dialogue to the highest level. Bilateral contacts between parliaments, executive, and judicial authorities continued. In the mid-December, another session of the Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission was held in Moscow, within the framework of which a number of significant agreements were signed.

We are happy with the trade and economic indicators, which increased more than twice this year. Russia remains Armenia's main foreign trade partner and investor, which is the logical continuation of our close multilateral interaction, as well as the result of Eurasian economic integration.

Scientific, educational, and cultural ties have developed. And this is another evidence of the mutual attraction of our peoples due to the ties of shared history, shared spiritual, moral and cultural values, which we must protect and pass on to future generations.

Cooperation within the framework of our shared integration associations has progressed very successfully—first of all, on the platform of the Eurasian Economic Union, which has convincingly proven its effectiveness and relevance.

Russia, as part of its efforts to strengthen stability and security in the South Caucasus, has continued to support the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenian-Azerbaijani high-level negotiations within the BRICS summit in Kazan [Russia] in late October made an important contribution to the advancement of this process. We are also ready to do our best in the new year to establish the long-awaited peace between Yerevan and Baku on the basis of a lasting and fair agreement. This document will enable putting into practice the agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan regarding the unblocking of transport communications in the region.

A lot has been done, but there is still a lot to do. I am convinced that the ongoing crisis in the world and global turbulence in general should unite our countries and peoples more strongly in the face of shared challenges and threats, and encourage us to develop and deepen cooperation in all domains. The time has come to build a new, fairer system of security and economic cooperation on the Eurasian continent.

I wish that in the coming year we will all experience happiness, new achievements, and good events carrying positive emotions. And I wish Russia and Armenia prosperity and safe development," said the Russian ambassador in his message.