Armenian-Russian centuries-old friendship 'good security and stability guarantee' for Caucasus region - Lavrov

The centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Russian peoples offers good guarantees for building security and stability in the Caucasus region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Yerevan.

Addressing the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, Lavrov also thanked the National Art Gallery's administration for providing its grandiose halls for the organization of the event.

″Representatives of the Armenian nation stood up for the defense of the frontiers of Moscow, fighting in the battles of Staliningrad and Kursk, liberating the Caucasus and Crimea and occupying Berlin - shoulder to shoulder with the other peoples of the USSR. The Armenian people are righteously taking pride in their heroes who have brought their invaluable contribution to the overthrowing of Nazism,″ he said, adding that Russia highly values also Armenia's dedication to the respecting the war heroes’ memory.

Russia's top diplomat also attached a high priority to next year’s 75th anniversary events, adding that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was the first state leader to respond to Moscow's invitation to join the May 9 Victory and Peace Day celebrations in the Russian capital.

″Having endured the hardship of military tests, the centuries-old friendship between the Armenians and Russians offers good guarantees for the future strengthening of the Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation and alliance to the benefit of our citizens and the maintenance of security and stability in our region,″ Mr Lavrov said.