Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Tigran Sargsyan’s Saint Petersburg Visit Continues
Attended by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, the joint press conference of the heads of CIS member-State governments was held later yesterday in Saint Petersburg.
Concerning the signing of a free trade zone agreement by the CIS countries, Tigran Sargsyan stated in part: “Armenia is highly interested in the signing of this agreement which can lead to increased trade turnover between the member-States. We should create modern platforms to enable the settling of any question of mutual interest. The document will promote integration processes and further growth of economies. Participants were supposed to make a display of political will in signing this paper. I feel this is a historic date which evidences that the CIS is on the right path.”
Earlier today, Tigran Sargsyan visited St. Petersburg’s State Finance and Economy University (former Finance and Economics Institute after N. A. Voznessensky) where he used to be a student and defended his master’s thesis.
The head of government met with the faculty and students of the university. He answered their questions and delivered a lecture in which he dwelt on the global economic developments and Armenia’s economy policy.
Greeting the audience, the Armenian Premier said to be delighted for the possibility of visiting his favorite university. As to the steps aimed at defying the second wave of crisis, Tigran Sargsyan mentioned sound management of macroeconomic stability, budget deficit, foreign debt, extra reserves etc.
“Here is our anti-crisis methodology. There are a number of expert panels operational in the CIS frameworks which from time to time submit proposals on the ways out of the possible crisis.” In this context, the Prime Minister argued that the free trade zone arrangement is supposed to help mitigate and overcome the possible impact of another crisis.
Concerning Vladimir Putin’s proposal on creating a Eurasian union on the post-Soviet area, Tigran Sargsyan said Armenia positive about the idea which “is in the logic of developments and may be effective over time.”
Speaking on tourism development, Tigran Sargsyan said the sphere is set as a priority by his government. Infrastructures in a number of Armenian tourism centers - Tsakhkadzor, Dilijan, Jermuk and Arzni - were said to have been refurbished or in process of upgrading at this point of time.
“The influx of Russian tourists has seen a sharp grow in recent times. Armenia is sufficiently well-poised for boosting tourism as seen from the perspective of its historical cultural and architectural heritage. We hope that the bulk of tourists will come from the CIS countries over time.”
Asked so by the students, the Prime Minister briefed them on NKR economy calling it as dynamically developing.
“Economic growth in Artsakh has always been twice as much as in Armenia. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic boasts a well-organized civil society. We sometimes follow on the steps of Nagorno Karabakh in pursuit of reforms. I think the ongoing talks will lead to a peaceful settlement of the conflict as there is no alternative to it. Neighboring countries must find a common ground in a rapidly changing world if they are to continue on the path of progress.”
