Thursday, 12 June 2014
Hovik Abrahamyan, Katherine Leach Discuss Armenian-British Cooperation Prospects
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Armenia, H.E. Mrs. Katherine Jane Leach.
Welcoming the guest, the Prime Minister noted that Armenia is interested in developing multifaceted relations with Great Britain. The Premier said that economic exchanges need to be overhauled in tune with the high-level political dialogue. Stating that there is a lot of untapped potential against the background of low trade turnover, Hovik Abrahamyan stressed that his government is prepared to implement specific programs aimed at the activation of economic relations.
As the parties discussed possibilities for further expansion of bilateral cooperation, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan underscored that attracting new investment is a priority to Armenia’s economic development.
To this end, the new government is offering equal conditions to foreign investors, who may be involved in our country’s free economic zones. The interlocutors took the time to look at ways of furthering interaction in mining, road-building and other areas of cooperation, exchanging experience and know-how. With a view to boosting bilateral ties, they stressed the need to resume Yerevan-London direct flights, especially considering Armenia’s policy of “open skies.”
The Prime Minister hailed Great Britain’s continued support for human rights and democratic reform. In this context, the parties touched upon the Open Government Partnership initiative that Armenia joined in 2011. The initiative seeks to improve governance through the involvement of civil society, increase the level of mutual trust and transparency in State-citizen relationship.
