Friday, 16 May 2008
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Armenia Charles Lonsdale.
Congratulating the ambassador on the start-up of his diplomatic mission in our country, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the diplomat's activity will help bring about further progress in the Armenian-British relationships. In parallel to the further development of political relations between Armenia and the United Kingdom, Tigran Sargsyan pointed out the importance of boosting the economic interaction as the current level of bilateral trade turnover is far from being satisfactory. The Armenian Prime Minister noted that the Government of Armenia has developed ambitious economic programs with a special focus placed upon welfare and economic aspects. Appreciative of the assistance provided by the UK Department for International Development to the public sector reforms and those programs aimed at developing rural areas in Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan stated our country's keen interest in continuing and expanding the ongoing cooperation. Informing that a concept note on civil service is being developed in Armenia, the Prime Minister said to be looking forward to the British side's support in terms of additional technical assistance aiming the introduction of said concept note. He further assured that the Government of Armenia will do its utmost to promote the signing of an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Armenia which, in his opinion, may provide strong incentives for Armenia's economic operators.
Ambassador Lonsdale confirmed the wish of the British side to ensure continuity in those diversified programs carried out in Armenia and advised that his country is currently cooperating with the Council of Europe and the World Bank in this matter. Informing that the United Kingdom is not going to reduce the scope its involvement in Armenia, the diplomat said that this is largely dependent upon the political processes underway in Armenia, as well as its economic achievements. He underscored the need for assisting Armenia with the implementation of the program of harmonious development of territories.
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan assured that by prioritizing the furtherance of democratic processes in the country, the Government of Armenia is thinking over serious programs and concrete action in order to address the existing bottlenecks.
The meeting agenda also comprised discussion of regional issues. In particular, the interlocutors have referred to the Armenian-Turkish political relations. By reiterating the well-known position of Armenia regarding the establishment of diplomatic ties without any preconditions, Tigran Sargsyan expressed opinion that the United Kingdom might play an important role in the settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relations.
