Tuesday, 11 July 2006
Republic of Armenia Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan received the delegation led by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lebanon Fawzi Salloukh.
To begin with, the Prime Minister said that there were no political problems between Armenia and Lebanon, bilateral relations having been developing harmoniously and a satisfactory legal base in place for cooperation. According to the head of the Armenian government, the two countries also had a wide experience of cooperation in the international organizations, especially within the frameworks of the United Nations that could be further strengthened.
Andranik Margaryan emphasized that it was necessary to discuss the possibility of revitalizing the Armenian-Lebanese intergovernmental commission which had ceased operating with the same activity and efficiency after the tragic death of former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri. The last session of the commission took place in Yerevan, attended by Prime Ministers Andranik Margaryan and Rafik Hariri. 3 practical programs expiring in 2007 were signed and, in the opinion of the Prime Minister, it was necessary to make active bilateral efforts for their realization. Andranik Margaryan considered it useful to restore the tradition of the Armenian-Lebanese interagency consultations on a yearly basis. The head of RA Government noted that Armenia and Lebanon had close political and economic relations with the European Union and its members. In this regard, he said that between the there was a vast field for exchange of experience, development of cooperation between the two countries.
The parties also touched upon the possibilities and prospects for the development of cooperation in agriculture, financial and banking sectors, insurance, tourism, culture and so on. It was mentioned that according to the practical program of cooperation, it had been planned to hold Armenian-Lebanese days of culture in both countries the terms and organizational questions of which were being finalized at the moment. As regards the development of trade and economic relationship, both sides noted the importance of opening in Armenia branches of Lebanese banks, creation of new joint ventures, in addition to a number of Armenian-Lebanese joint ventures already operational on the Armenian market.
The parties stressed the importance of activating inter-parliamentary ties. Andranik Margaryan noted that Armenia was grateful for recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Parliament of Lebanon and thought much of the warm attitude of Lebanese people to those Armenians who escaped slaughter in the Ottoman Turkey. With reference to the Armenian community of Lebanon, the RA Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Lebanon said that Armenians were meritorious citizens of Lebanon and emphasized that they had made a valuable contribution to the development of the country, were actively involved in political life and promoted the strengthening of the Armenian-Lebanese ties. Minister for Foreign Affairs Fawzi Salloukh added that the recognition of the Genocide of Armenians on the part of Lebanon evidenced once again that his country was against all kinds of violence and genocides, against terrorism due to which thousands of people perished every day in the world.
Having noted that as a country bordering on the Middle East region, Armenia followed closely the developments in this region, Mr. Margaryan wanted to know the latest developments in Middle East conflict. In reply, Mr. Salloukh presented in detail the situation in the region and the stance of Lebanon on the given question. He once again emphasized that his country was in favor of settling conflicts in a peaceful way, through diplomatic negotiations and was making efforts towards this end.
During the meeting Mr. Salloukh, in view of Armenia
