Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Tigran Sargsyan meets with Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus
On a two-day official visit to Minsk, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met today with President Alexander Lukashenko at the Presidency of the Republic of Belarus.
Welcoming the Armenian Prime Minister’s visit, A. Lukashenko expressed confidence that it will promote bilateral relations: “Trade turnover between the two countries has gone up 15-fold over the last ten years. I still remember us thinking out schemes for boosting the trade turnover. Then, we decided to provide a better environment so that our businessmen could find a way to it. We succeeded and we can boast now a tangible increase, especially for the past few years,” the president of Belarus said.
As he said, this year’s slight downturn in trade turnover can be coped with shortly since exports seem to be growing on either side.
A. Lukashenko said to be confident that all necessary conditions are up for growth. Hailing his Armenian counterpart’s efforts toward the furtherance of bilateral relationship, Alexander Lukashenko conveyed warm greetings to President Serzh Sargsyan.
In turn, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for a warm welcome. “Here we feel at home,” he said forwarding Armenian President’ warmest greetings and kind feelings to Mr. Lukashenko and the people of Belarus. Tigran Sargsyan said to be highly appreciative of Mr. Lukashenko’s personal contribution to the strengthening of friendly ties between Belarus and Armenia.
“Earlier today we had quite a businesslike meeting with the Prime Minister of Belarus. We have looked at all those questions high on the bilateral agenda. I am convinced that the ongoing high-level political dialog may lead to a fully realized economic component. Prime Minister Myasnikovich and I concurred in that there is a huge economic potential, and we should make the best possible use of it to the benefit of our two peoples,” Tigran Sargsyan noted and thanked Alexander Lukashenko for open and sincere dialog.
Following the meeting, Tigran Sargsyan laid a wreath at the Monument of Victory in Minsk.
The Prime Minister next called at the refurbished premises of the Armenian embassy in Minsk to get a first-hand view of its working conditions.
Later today, Tigran Sargsyan will attend an official dinner hosted on behalf of the Prime Minister of Belarus.
On the second day of his visit, Tigran Sargsyan will attend the 30th session of the interstate council of EurAsEC (Eurasian Economic Commonwealth) which will bring together the heads of government, as well as the sitting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government where the Prime Minister is due to deliver a statement.
