Saturday, 5 July 2008
On July 5, 2008, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan arrived in the NKR on a working. The Prime Minister-led delegation comprises RA ministers of finance, energy and natural resources, labor and social affairs, education and science, culture, agriculture, the mayor of Yerevan who chairs Shushi Revival Foundation Board of Trustees. Armenia
's government delegation will be accompanied by a number of heads of Armenian banks, led by CBA head Arthur Javadyan. In the morning, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan had private talks with his counterpart Araik Harutunyan. In the meantime, RA and NKR ministers met at the Office of NKR Government to discuss issues of mutual concern.Following these discussions, a consultative meeting was held in the Office of NKR Prime Minister, attended by the Prime Minister of Armenia and the members of the two delegations. The consultative meeting was followed by an extended session of the two governments. The session summed up the results of previous discussions and outlined priority areas and programs for future interaction. To start with, NKR Prime Minister Araik Harutunyan thanked the members and the head of the Armenian government for their readiness to dialog and cooperation. Cabinet members on either side were said to have met on a regular basis prior to this meeting. Mr. Harutunyan stressed that authorities in the NKR have always been mindful of Armenia
's experience, with experts having been invited from Armenia as necessary. He mentioned that today's discussions are the logical outcome of the underlying processes.Speaking about the objectives behind his visit, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said he looked forward to defining a cooperation agenda and finding coordinated solutions to the existing problems. Apart from joint action in the field of agriculture, energy, education and science, social affairs, culture and the banking sector, Tigran Sargsyan mentioned the issue of Shushi rehabilitation. The head of the Armenian government underscored the need for bringing to the NKR Armenia
's conception of second-generation reforms: "There new initiatives available in Armenia which have been effective for some time now. In his electoral program, the President of Armenia undertook to make the best possible use of the potential of all Armenians which means that, first of all, we will have to indicate such areas and programs as are susceptible to be invested in. We should seek funding outside the public sector by providing favorable conditions for private sector investment. These discussions are meant to help identify the needed economic incentives so as doing business in the NKR becomes profitable, with success stories propelling further investments," Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said.He emphasized the need for the NKR to work out strategic programs, develop a couple of competitive assets and brands such as agricultural tourism. According to the two prime ministers, farming may have vast development opportunities in Artsakh as a whole. Tigran Sargsyan stressed that the underlying incentives, driving forces and principles should be clearly stated in advance so as the two governments and farmers in Artsakh get an accurate idea thereof. Tigran Sargsyan said his government was encouraged by the ambitious programs set forth on the part of the NKR Prime Minister and expressed hope that through effective cooperation these programs would be carried into effect to step up the pace of economic development in the country.
During the joint session, ministers on either side presented their concerns, coordinated action areas and development programs. After session, led by the Primes Ministers, the members of the two governments visited the memorial to the Artsakh liberation war heroes and laid wreaths at the monument. Then they left for Shushi where the report on the Shushi Rehabilitation Foundation activities and the strategy for town rehabilitation will be discussed at the arts, crafts and tourism center of Shushi. The Prime Minister of Armenia will also meet with local media. Next, to get acquainted with the current status of municipal infrastructures and the pace of construction works, he will make a tour of the town, accompanied by about 30 children from the Future is Yours NGO.
Later yesterday, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with NKR President Bako Sahakyan. Tomorrow morning, headed by the Prime Minister, the RA government delegation will attend the launching ceremony for the water supply network of Khoramorth village of NKR Askeran region.
