Wednesday, 27 September 2017
Karen Karapetyan receives Minister of State for Europe and the Americas at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received today Minister of State for Europe and the Americas at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom Alan Duncan.
Noting that Armenia is interested in deepening interstate relationship with the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan emphasized that bilateral cooperation has been developing in different directions over the past 25 years of diplomatic relations.
With reference to regional economic cooperation, Karen Karapetyan reminded that Turkey has been keeping the border with Armenia closed for decades, hindering the possibility of implementing regional initiatives. The Premier said Armenia keen to develop bilateral relations with the United Kingdom in a way not conditioned by third parties’ actions. The Head of the Armenian government stressed the importance of joint struggle against international terrorism and expressed his support and sympathy to the British people in connection with the terrorist act in London.
Karen Karapetyan welcomed the balanced position of the United Kingdom in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which is consistent with the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.
“Confident that there is huge potential for improving economic cooperation, we are prioritizing the development of bilateral trade and economic relations. In that regard, I suggest exploring the possibility of holding joint business forums to raise the British business community’s awareness of Armenia’s favorable investment environment and other initiatives. Armenia should be viewed as a bridge to the Eurasian Economic Union, European markets and Iran. I am convinced that regardless of the size of our country, we can be of specific interest to the international business community. We are eager to see British businesses not only bring in investments, but also business culture,” the Prime Minister emphasized. Welcoming the appointment of a UK Trade Delegate to Armenia, Karen Karapetyan expressed confidence that it would promote the development of trade and economic relations.
The Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan in turn emphasized that the United Kingdom is set to develop and deepen bilateral relations with Armenia. He expressed confidence that the activities of the UK Trade Delegate would help expand and strengthen trade and economic ties.
“We are ready to get Armenia involved in the programs supported by the Good Governance Fund to provide financial support for reforms in public administration, justice and economic sectors,” the British Minister said.
Welcoming Armenia’s bid to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Alan Duncan said to be happy that Armenia is considered a candidate country and noted that it might be a good platform for introducing our country’s business environment.
The Prime Minister thanked the British side for support of his government’s anticorruption strategy, reforms in the field of human rights, as well as for expert assistance provided to the Center for Strategic Initiatives.
During the meeting, the parties touched upon the facilitation of bilateral trade regime, as well as cooperation in aviation, education and culture.
