Friday, 29 July 2005
Today RA Prime Minister A. Margaryan has received Charge d'Affaires of the Syrian Arab Republic Mr. Moukhils Faraouni. The Prime Minister congratulated him on the start of his diplomatic mission in Armenia and expressed the hope that the Armenian-Syrian relationship would be developed in the same spirit of cooperation and mutual interest as it had been the case with his predecessor. In stressing that the political intercourse between Armenia and Syria was based on a solid groundwork, favorable for the strengthening of bilateral ties, Mr. A. Margaryan focused on the expansion of economic collaboration. According to him, while there were several achievements recorded in the fields of agriculture, education etc, the overall level of trade and economic exchanges were far from being satisfactory. A number of objective factors were behind this, including Armenia's blockade on the part of Turkey and the handicaps suffered in inland transportations. Nevertheless, even under such adverse circumstances, the two governments and business communities were trying to find ways out towards mutually beneficial cooperation. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the activities of the Armenian-Syrian intergovernmental economic commission, as well as Prime Minister Mr. Outry's upcoming visit to Armenia would promote the solution of the above-said problems.
Charge d'Affaires of the Syrian Arab republic Mr. Moukhils Faraouni assured the Armenian Prime Minister that he would do his utmost for the furtherance of the Armenian-Syrian relationship.
At the close of the meeting, Mr. A. Margaryan expressed willingness on behalf of the Armenian government to extend every possible assistance to the Syrian diplomat in the exercise of his current duties.
