Saturday, 13 November 2010
Premier’s visit to Brussels completed
Later yesterday, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan-led delegation wrapped up their one-day working visit to Brussels. First, the Prime Minister had a private meeting with deputy chairman of the European People’s Party, member of the European Parliament Khayim Mayor Oreja.
The Prime Minister’s next meeting was in the EU Commission where Tigran Sargsyan met with EU high commissionaire for trade Karel De Gucht to discuss the current status and the outlook of EU-Armenia trade relations.
The head of government gave details of Armenia’s economic position and described the pace of reforms. The ongoing cooperation was said to enjoy a solid institutional groundwork covering all those priority areas dealt with by the government of Armenia. In this context, European Union’s assistance was emphasized as a pledge for successful reform and capacity building efforts.
Stressing the importance of the EU-Armenia deep and comprehensive trade agreement, the interlocutors exchanged views on their vision of talks. The need for stepping up reform in Armenia was emphasized on either side. In conclusion, Tigran Sargsyan forwarded President Serzh Sargsyan’s invitation for Mr. De Gucht to visit Armenia at his convenience.
Next, Tigran Sargsyan welcomed the representatives of leading Belgian diamond-processing companies to his place of residence in Brussels to discuss investment opportunities and the government’s support for this sector. It was agreed that bilateral relations should be given an institutional character.
The Prime Minister’s working visit was wrapped up with a visit paid to headquarters of “Armenia’s European Friends” organization, where Tigran Sargsyan got acquainted with its activities, took part in a workshop on Armenia’s home and foreign policies, attended by EU special envoy to South Caucasus Peter Szemnebi, representatives from a number of Armenian and foreign organizations accredited in the Kingdom of Belgium, as well as by scholars and analysts.
