Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on state visit in Armenia

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, together with his wife Svetlana Medvedeva, is paying a landmark state visit to Armenia upon Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's invitation.

Mr Medvedev arrived in Yerevan on Thursday evening and immediately went to Tsitsernakaberd - the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 - where he placed a wreath.

Mr Medvedev had during his previous visit to the memorial planted a fir tree in a small yard near the memorial complex.

Further the presidential convoy went to Baghramyan 26, the president's residence, where a dinner was served to Mr Medvedev and Mrs Medvedeva on behalf ot Armenia's president and the first lady.

The two presidents will have a private talk today followed by talks with extended format of the Armenian and Russian delegations. A series of contracts and agreements are expected to be signed aimed at strenghening the Armenia-Russia strategic partnership.

Further Mr Medvedev and Mr Sargsyan will convene a joint press conference.

Mr Medvedev will during his state visit go to the Armenia's second-largest town of Gyumri to attend an opening ceremony of The Hill of Honor - the memorial the remains of 156 are resting following the Russo-Turkish wars of 1855 and 1878-79.

At the end of his state visit Mr Medvedev will also attend an informal summit of the heads of Collective Security Treaty Organsation member states to take place from August 20-22 in Yerevan.