YEREVAN. – Armenia and Russia have reached a fairly serious level of mutual understanding, said Russian political scientist Andrey Areshev, speaking to 168 Zham (Hour) newspaper of Armenia.

He noted this as he presented the results of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s recent two-day visit to Moscow.

As per the Russian analyst, this visit has a particular importance also in terms of the constitutional amendments in Armenia because after April 2—when the country will conduct a parliamentary election, the “figure” of the President will no longer have the same importance as in the present, whereas the National Assembly and the government of Armenia will have dominant positions in the country’s politics. 

When asked whether Moscow has any favorite political forces in the current election race in Armenia, Areshev responded that Armenia and Russia have reached a fairly serious level of mutual understanding, just as with the president as well as with the serving prime minister and the defense minister of Armenia.

“As you know, these people have a quite major role in the team of the ruling Republican Party [of Armenia],” he added. “[But] there also are other major players. Among them, I would like to mention [opposition Prosperous Armenia Party Chairman, and businessman MP] Gagik Tsarukyan, who has large business ties with Russia.

“I believe that the activities of the government, the authorities of the Republic of Armenia are going in the positive direction; this is observed; it is worthily perceived in Moscow.”