Tuesday, 1 October 2013
At Intergovernmental Commission Meeting Tigran Sargsyan, Maxim Sokolov Discuss Ways To Strengthen Bilateral Strategic Ties
A meeting of the Armenian- Russian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation was held in St Petersburg. Commission co-chairs Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov had private talks before the opening of the 15th meeting.
The Prime Minister thanked Maxim Sokolov for a warm welcome and said, “Trade and economic relations between our countries are developing steadily. Trade turnover between Armenia and Russia went up 20 percent, exceeding the mark of USD1bn in 2012. This is really serious progress, which is the outcome of our joint efforts. In my capacity of Prime Minister, I am particularly pleased to emphasize that 26 percent growth in exports from Armenia to Russia was recorded in the same period. This trend is maintained in 2013. In the meantime, along with the progress in trade and economic relations, we witnessed an event of fundamental importance: Armenia made a decision to join the Customs Union and participate in the process of formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. Russia has supported our decision and expressed willingness to assist us in this process.”
According to the Prime Minister, in this way the strategic partnership, which is secured by the two countries’ membership in a single defense system, was complemented by their interaction within integration processes. Tigran Sargsyan said this factor adds relish to bilateral relations providing new opportunities for future cooperation.
“It commits us to consistent and targeted action to reinvigorate this important strategic decision. Note that integration processes should be based not on political, but on economic purposes. We were not invited to the Customs Union. Armenia’s decision in favor of the Customs Union is a well-meditated step based on historical experiences on the one hand and on cold calculation, on the other. It aims to create such an environment as would fully comply with the national interests of our country,” the head of the Armenian government emphasized.
Coming down to the tasks set before the intergovernmental commission, Tigran Sargsyan said they should be basically determined by the possibilities and vectors of bilateral cooperation. We are talking about such programs, which are aimed at the modernization and diversification of Armenia’s economy, with an important role to be played by a fully operational free economic zone.
“We are likewise talking about improved energy security and such challenges as may be associated with the supply of energy and life extension of the existing nuclear power plant,” Tigran Sargsyan said.
Welcoming the Armenian delegation, Maxim Sokolov noted that the Russian side attaches great importance to this meeting, which is a good opportunity to come together in a constructive atmosphere for the discussion of new problems and challenges, priorities and ways to promote bilateral cooperation.
“For many years now, Russia and Armenia have maintained mutually beneficial trade and economic relationship in the areas of strategic importance. Owing to the efforts made by the two presidents and yourself, Mr. Prime Minister, the Armenian- Russian economic ties boast good dynamics of development, which is a solid foundation for further development,” Maxim Sokolov pointed out.
The RF Transport Minister praised the ongoing investment cooperation that has resulted in new programs in the fields of energy, transport, science and technology and other fields.
“The Russian capital has been actively involved in the implementation of new programs in Armenia. Deeper integration will be important in this respect. In recent months, following Armenia’s decision to accede to the Customs Union, our strategic relations have been raised to a new level that will give new impetus to the development of our national economies,” the Russian co-chair stated. Maxim Sokolov expressed confidence that the two countries will be able to carry out many ambitious and targeted programs within the framework of the Customs Union.
Tigran Sargsyan and Maxim Sokolov signed the protocol of the 15th session of the Armenian -Russian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. Later today Maxim Sokolov will host an official dinner in honor of the participants of the 15th meeting of the intergovernmental commission.
