Friday, 8 July 2016
Hovik Abrahamyan, Maxim Sokolov issue statements on outcome of intergovernmental commission meeting
Following the meeting of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, commission co-chairs, RA Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan and RF Minister of Transport Maxim Sokolov made statements for the press.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan stated in part, “Dear Mr Sokolov, I wish to thank you once again for the warm welcome. We have just wrapped up the proceedings of the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. Mr Sokolov and I signed the minutes of the meeting, which summarizes last year’s activities and outlines the upcoming priorities and cooperation areas.
The sitting is an important event in the relations between the two countries. Being one of the most effective tools for the development of interstate relations, the Commission provides a unique opportunity for discussion of bilateral cooperation.
Today's meeting had a hectic agenda: economy, energy, transport, legal-contractual framework, humanitarian cooperation, education, science, culture and other spheres related issues. The speakers emphasized the progress achieved in the field of trade and economic cooperation which needs using the full potential available in this area.
In conclusion, I can say that the session was held, as usual, in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and constructive dialogue. We are pleased with the work done so far and the agreements reached that are of immediate practical importance for the economies of our countries. I am confident that all the agreements will be implemented successfully.”
In turn, Maxim Sokolov stated as follows: “We are working openly, as it befits friends, partners. All work carried out within the Commission evidences that it is an efficacious mechanism for quick-responsive action and coordination of our joint efforts.
Regular meetings are held not only in an expanded format, but also between the heads of working groups and co-chairs, which makes it possible to organize work efficiently and address issues in a timely manner.
During this year, trade turnover between Armenia and Russia proved 10% up to reach the mark of USD450 million, Armenian exports to Russia increased several times, reaching the threshold of USD125 million. Notwithstanding the foreign policy tensions and adverse economic factors, Russia has always been and remains Armenia’s chief economic partner.
The meeting agenda included a wide range of issues. As usual the main focus was energy, transport, food supply, expansion of cooperation in the humanitarian sphere.
We summed up the complex of decisions taken at the foregoing meetings, Note that the agenda of the preceding 16th session featured some 60 items, many of which have already been implemented, which is an additional incentive for boosting bilateral relations.
An agreement was reached on the reduction of tariffs for gas supplied to Armenia from Russia, as well as on the supply of duty-free oil products. We resolved the question of setting up a special line for transportation of freight through Upper Lars. The fourth Russian-Armenian interregional forum was held and, finally, an Armenian-Russian center for quick-responsive humanitarian cooperation was founded in Armenia.
Life is progressing, and we have set ourselves new goals. We signed the minutes of the 17th session of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, which includes a number of tasks for the relevant government departments on either side, the execution of which will be under the control of the commission co-chairs.”
