"Haykakan Zhamanak": Robert Kocharyan’s and Vladimir Putin`s meeting is not a new phenomenon - Edward Sharmazanov.

The paper says its correspondent attempted to find out yesterday what the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) thinks about second President Robert Kocharyan’s recent meeting with Russia’s president-elect, Vladimir Putin.

A spokesperson for the ruling party, Edward Sharmazanov, told the paper he sees nothing strange about the fact, noting that meetings between former state leaders is a commonly accepted practice in all countries worldwide.

“We consider it normal. It is a commonly practiced phenomenon,” he said.

Asked whether the meeting could be a hint that the ex president wishes to return to politics, Sharmazanov said: “You have to ask Kocharyan whether or not he wishes that. The RPA is preparing for an electoral campaign with its competitors in quite a peaceful and organized manner.”