Thursday, 4 December 2008
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development consisting of head of the EBRD Yerevan Office Michael Weinstein, a number of country directors, Board members from the European Investment Bank and the European Community.
Greeting the guests, the Prime Minister expressed conviction that this visit will boost the cooperation between his government and the Bank. According to Tigran Sargsyan, while some problems were encountered during the implementation of a number of EBRD projects in Armenia, nevertheless significant work has been carried out over the recent years to strengthen and raise the quality of the ongoing cooperation. Here, he highlighted the strengthening of interaction with the private sector. With reference to cooperation priorities, the head of government stressed the need for broader assistance available to mall and medium-size enterprises, infrastructure development (especially in the field of power engineering and road building), the backing of the efforts for establishing free economic zones by Zvartnotz Airport and in Gyumri town and expanding the domestic capital market.
The EBRD Board members were briefed on Armenia's current economic status and the 2009 program of action, the possibilities for our country to meet the threats coming from the global financial and economic crisis. Tigran Sargsyan noted that the government allows for Armenia's competitive assets when developing and implementing the government's anti-crisis action plan, looks up ways for demonstrating our country's stability and the set of advantages offered to foreign investors
The delegation members voiced their views on those issues raised during the discussion and presented the Bank's vision of its anti-crisis strategy.
The parties also spoke about Armenia's relations with the neighboring States. In particular, the Prime Minister stated Armenia's interest in having stable and predictable neighbors and, in this context, welcomed Turkey's drive for contracting EU membership as the reforms needed on this way will help this country assume more predictability and stability. Tigran Sargsyan expressed hope that relations between Armenia and Turkey will improve insofar as this process advances. The Prime Minister further advised that our country maintains good relationship with Iran and will try to keep them abreast with the current level. Concerning the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the head of the Armenian government said to be hopeful that it will be resolved through peaceful talks.
