Thursday, 20 May 2010
French Minister of Economic Development hosted in Government
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan welcomed a delegation headed by French Minister of Economic Development, Hauts-de-Seine department general assembly speaker Patrick Devedjian.
Greeting the guests on behalf of the Armenian government, Tigran Sargsyan thanked Mr. Devedjian for great personal contribution to Armenia’s social and economic development. Speaking about the educational cooperation, he appreciated the ongoing student fellowship programs organized by the French University in Armenia in a number of Hauts-de-Seine department-based enterprises.
The parties looked at the current status and the development prospects of Armenian-French cooperation by singling out the Tavush-2012 program as financed through grants available to Hayastan All-Armenian Foundation from Hauts-de-Seine department. The program seeks to restore and build irrigation systems, set up a base station for milk procurements and modern agricultural machinery. Patrick Devedjian noted that the program will help reduce poverty and improve living standards in border regions. In this context, the head of government said that harmonious territorial development is among his government’s most important priorities.
At the request of Mr. Devedjian, Tigran Sargsyan presented the strategy of Armenia’s agricultural development. The development of rural areas, organic agriculture and rural tourism was said to be high on the government’s agenda. Reference was made of rural road building projects, including the complex program of north-south transport corridor.
In conclusion, the parties discussed the activities of all-Armenian organizations.
