Putin arrives in Yerevan to attend events of Armenian Genocide centenary

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the Armenian capital Yerevan to attend the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Itar Tass reported on Friday.

The main purpose of the visit is to attend the commemoration events for the Armenian Genocide victims in the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1916.

"Russia attaches great importance to the anniversary of the tragic developments in the Ottoman Empire, understanding the significance of this date for friendly Armenia, the Armenian diaspora worldwide, including Armenian nations residing in Russia [about three million people]," Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov said.

Apart from that, Putin is expected to have bilateral talks with Presidents of Armenia and France, Serzh Sargsyan and Francois Hollande.

Talks with the Armenian leader will focus on bilateral cooperation and pressing international problems, said Ushakov, adding that the two countries are "linked by the strategic partnership relations."

The meeting with the French leader, according to Ushakov, is likely to center about the implementation of the Minsk-2 agreements on Ukraine and the problem over the Mistral helicopter carrier contract with France.