Thursday, 2 April 2009
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation headed by Kingdom of Sweden State Secretary for Trade Gunnar Wislander.
Appreciative of recently activated bilateral contacts, the Prime Minister of Armenia expressed hope that this visit of the State Secretary-led delegation will boost economic and political exchanges between the two countries.
Tigran Sargsyan said to be informed on those cooperation-friendly meetings and discussions the Swedish delegation has had with Armenian public and private sector representatives under the visit program. The Prime Minister underscored Armenia’s readiness to develop the Armenian-Swedish interaction in both bilateral and EU-Armenia formats.
In presenting our country’s development possibilities and programs amidst a quickly evolving world, the Prime Minister said to be convinced that once supported by the European Union and other partners, Armenia will be able to overcome not only those temporary hardships coming from the global crisis, but also any eventual long-term challenges ahead. In particular, the Prime Minister cited Armenia’s adherence to the GSP+ system as of January 1, 2009 as a landmark achievement in the history of EU-Armenia cooperation as this implies considerably lower duties on EU-bound Armenian exports. In this respect, the Prime Minister evoked his government’s drive for ensuring that as many Armenian producers as possible might benefit from this opportunity.
With reference to bilateral economic ties, Tigran Sargsyan highlighted the ongoing cooperation with the OMX which as effective since January, 2008 when the OMX was entrusted with the management of Armenia’s Stock Market and Central Depository is seen as the key to Armenia’s aspiration for becoming a regional financial center. Tigran Sargsyan said to be hopeful that the successful record of a mutually beneficial cooperation with the OMX will encourage other Swedish investors to invest in our country.
Gunnar Wislander said to be convinced that while developing successfully, the Armenian-Swedish cooperation, both bilateral and in the EU-Armenia format, offers far more development opportunities than what is used currently. Welcoming the Armenian government’s growth-targeting ambitious programs and undertakings, the Swedish State Secretary assured of his country’s readiness to possibly assist Armenia with its efforts.
