Tuesday, 17 November 2009
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is in Italy to attend a FAO summit. Earlier today Tigran Sargsyan delivered a statement, which reads in part: “Mr. Chairman, Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen. Full member of the FAO since 1993, the Republic of Armenia has been involved in the activities of the Organization for about twenty years now. The past years of cooperation were those of effective work leading to numerous achievements. We are stating with pride that our country’s example was cited among four other success stories in the FAO’s “Ways of Success” report as a good experience of setting tasks and addressing them with perseverance. Indeed, this does not mean that all the problems are solved, so we should work with renewed effort to build on these achievements and continue with progress in the sphere of agriculture.”
It is common knowledge that food production is at high risk all over the world including Armenia. The current financial and economic crisis adds its negative impact on the issue of food demand especially in developing countries. This is why we appreciate the holding of this summit, as well as the efforts made by the States and international organizations. Those present will still have the opportunity of referring to the Declaration of this summit on food security. I feel that we are going to have quite interesting and substantial debates. My position is strict and clear-cut enough. The Republic of Armenia endorses the Summit Declaration. It meets our government’s vision and the underlying principles are acceptable to us.
Dear Director General,
We highly appreciate the decision to hold the 36th Session of FAO’s European Commission on Agriculture and the 27th European Regional Conference of FAO in Yerevan from May 10-14, 2010. I hope that the decisions adopted in Yerevan will contribute to the considerable improvement of the level of food security. We are looking forward to seeing you again in Yerevan.
Allow me, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, to extend my deepest gratitude to the Food and Agriculture Organization and personally to Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf, to all donor community members and all countries with good will, for their collaborative efforts to find solutions to the world’s rising problems. I am confident that with collaborative efforts of all countries we will be able to meet all challenges of food insecurity and gradually eradicate hunger and poverty in the world.”
After the proceedings of the forum, the Prime Minister of Armenia had an interview with Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf to discuss a bilateral cooperation-related agenda.
Tigran Sargsyan expressed Armenia’s appreciation of the ongoing RA-FAO collaboration and the programs implemented in our country. The head of government reiterated Armenia’s readiness to host the 36th Session of FAO’s European Commission on Agriculture and the 27th European Regional Conference of FAO in Yerevan from May 10-14, 2010.
The Prime Minister underscored the need for making joint efforts toward grain, corn, potato seed breeding, pisciculture, cattle stock recording and registration, as well as introducing a system of agricultural insurance in Armenia.
The FAO Director-General said the new cooperation priorities may result in a more efficacious collaboration between the Republic of Armenia and his organization.
During the day, the head of government is also scheduled to meet with President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Kanayo Nwanze and UN World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Josette Sheeran.
