Monday, 1 August 2011
PM Meets With NKR President Bako Sahakyan
Off to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on a working visit, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan in Stepanakert.
Issues on economic cooperation between the two Armenian republics have been discussed. Special attention was given to agriculture, joint investment programs and efficacious use of the local potential. The need for the strengthening of intra-Armenian ties was stressed on either side as a key to harmonious economic development of the two Armenian States.
Talking to journalists after the meeting, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said official visits to the NKR enable both sides to concretize bilateral programs of social and economic development. As he said, meetings with the Karabakh authorities first of all address the status of previous arrangements, the ongoing strategic programs and the outlook of cooperation and development of Artsakh’s economy.
A social-economic agenda was said to have been discussed during the latest meeting with Bako Sahakyan: “Meetings like this are crucial from this perspective as they help us concretize every detail,” Tigran Sargsyan advised.
The head of government visited today the timber mill of Avetaranots village (Askeran region) where bio-fuel is being produced.
In this connection, Tigran Sargsyan pointed out the following: “The economy of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is on the way to stabilization. Any economic system is supposed to tend to sustainable development. This project seems to be extremely important first of all from the perspective of national security.
Secondly, it has a multiplicative impact since it promotes economic development and employment through extensive use of local raw materials. Besides, the program may promote good forestry management and we seem to have made the right choice from this point of view.
And lastly, it has a clear-cut economic impact because it will enhance cost-effectiveness in the energy sector by at least 30% which in turn implies higher productivity leading to greater budget management efficiency. The above 3 factors make us conclude that the program is productive and therefore crucial to the economy of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.”
According to the Premier, a major agenda item of his meeting with Bako Sahakyan was the choice of a well-suited model for farm development and stock-breeding, in particular. “We shared out Armenia’s know-how in this area. World Bank-supported cattle-breeding projects are now underway in 55 communities of Armenia. Efficacious pasture management schemes are being introduced that can benefit to the Nagorno-Karabakh. On the other hand, we lack in Artsakh’s experience in the maintenance and operation of agricultural machinery,” the Prime Minister stated.
Touching upon the economic situation in the NKR, Tigran Sargsyan said to be hopeful that Artsakh’s economy will boast a pace of sustainable development shortly. “Quite impressing growth rates have been recorded over the past few years. The potential at hand indicates that the economy will be developing on a sustainable basis throughout the year and over the next three years as well,” the head of government said.
Consisting of chief of government staff David Sargsyan, the ministers of justice and agriculture, later today the Prime Minister-led delegation visited Askeran region of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
After visiting the timber mill of Avetaranots village, the Prime Minister called at Artsakh Fruit Cannery. Tigran Sargsyan visited several other enterprises getting acquainted with their output and development programs.
The head of government also visited the Khnapat stock-breeding station.
