Wednesday, 4 June 2008
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to the Republic of Armenia Rina Pandai.
In noting that the traditionally strong Armenian-Indian relations and friendly ties are deeply rooted into history, both sides have stressed the need for identifying new areas of cooperation in order to further strengthen these ties. In this context, they prioritized the continuation and activation of reciprocated visits of high-level delegations. Tigran Sargsyan highly valued the bilateral cooperation in international affairs and expressed appreciation of India
's continued support to Armenia within in the framework of the United Nations Organization.As for the deepening of bilateral ties and expansion of cooperation, the interlocutors considered it important to bolster the activities of the Armenian-Indian intergovernmental commission with the latter having to hold a planned session later this year in Yerevan. Tigran Sargsyan said that the session is due to provide an excellent opportunity for boosting interaction and proposed the Indian side to present those issues of their choice for inclusion in the session agenda, as well as to name a candidate for commission co-chair on India
's side. Information technologies, health care services, tourism, jewelry and diamond processing, fundamental research, education and culture have been mentioned among cooperation priorities on either side. The parties have also pointed out the importance of founding an Indian information technologies training center in Yerevan. Ambassador Rina Pandei advised that subsequently similar centers will be established in marzes as well. Armenian specialists were said to be offered the possibility of taking summary training courses at India's higher educational institutions every year on the part her country's government. She expressed satisfaction at the fact that the Armenians prove to take pronounced interest in Indian culture and philosophy. In view of the above, the Ambassador advised that two more extended cultural courses will be held for Armenian specialists in future.During the meeting, the Prime Minister and the Indian ambassador discussed the prospects for organizing an Armenian-Indian business conference in Delhi, most likely to be held this fall according to the Ambassador. Mindful of the need for boosting and expanding the business ties between the two countries, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan expressed readiness on the part of the Armenian government to possibly assist Indian counterparts with the preparation of the forum.
In conclusion, the parties pointed out the necessity of developing links between the two capital cities -Yerevan and Delhi. Satisfaction was expressed on either side at the ongoing preparations for the Yerevan Mayor
's upcoming visit to India.
