Friday, 23 September 2011
Armenian Prime Minister Meets Romanian Counterpart
On September 22, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc. Armenian Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan and Ambassador to Romania Hamlet Gasparyan were in ayyendance.
Welcoming Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Emil Boc first congratulated his Armenian counterpart on Armenia’s independence 20th anniversary noting that the meeting was a nice opportunity for analyzing bilateral cooperation. The Romanian Prime Minister highlighted the deeply rooted friendly ties and existing human resources to provide a solid basis for the strengthening of relations in all directions.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for a warm reception. “Existent since the 10th century, the Armenian community of Romania is one of largest Armenian communities on the world. We are thankful to your people for offering such conditions to our compatriots as make them feel at home. There are dozens of Armenian churches operational in Romania. The Armenian community is welcome to engage in cultural activities and mark national and cultural holidays. We have today visited an Armenian church, a museum and a Sunday school. We marked Armenia’s independence 20th anniversary as we met with the representatives of Armenian community.
Thanking you for kind congratulatory remarks, I wish to remind that 20 years ago Romania was the first country to recognize the independence of the Republic of Armenia, and it is emblematic that the Prime Minister of Armenia visits Romania just on the next day of independence holiday.”
The interlocutors referred to the legal framework applicable between the two countries focusing on the cooperation outlook in the following fields: information technologies, transport, agriculture and tourism. The furtherance of business ties was emphasized on either side.
Satisfaction was expressed at the outcome of the intergovernmental commission’s third session held on March 10, 2011 in Bucharest. A special focus was placed on the dynamics of educational and cultural exchanges. The Armenian Prime Minister said to be pleased with the close ties of interaction in a number of areas.
Emil Boc assured of his country’s willingness to deepen the dialogue with Armenia in all directions inclusive of chemical industry, pharmaceuticals and organic agriculture, in particular. The interlocutors dwelt on the possibility of promoting cooperation in the frame of the EU Eastern Partnership Program.
Appreciating the OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts toward the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Tigran Sargsyan pointed out that a balanced and constructive position was needed on the part of all States.
The Romanian side said to be for an exclusively peaceful settlement based on international law stressing that they hailed the efforts exercised by the co-chairs of the Minsk Group.
