ArmenPress
June 23 2004

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER ARRIVED IN BERLIN

BERLIN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenian prime minister Andranik
Margarian arrived June 22 in Berlin, the capital of the Federal
Republic of Germany on a three-day working visit. The prime minister
will participate in the Armenian-German Economic Cooperation
Conference that opened today at the Center of German Industrialists.
He will also hold a range of bilateral meetings with a number of
highly- ranked officials on the sidelines of the visit.
Yesterday the prime minister met with Germany’s minister for
economic cooperation and development Mrs. Vichorek-Zoil and Berlin
mayor Klaus Wowereith. During the meeting with Mrs. Vichorek-Zoil ,
Andranik Margarian underscored the importance of several
inter-regional projects implemented by the ministry within the
frameworks of the Caucasian Initiative and highlighted Turkey’s and
Azerbaijan’s non-constructive approaches, which tend to shift
economic relations into political level by putting forward political
preconditions. He also reflected on discussions with Georgian
authorities and bilateral interest in developing mutually beneficial
projects. Attaching importance to regional cooperation projects,
Germany’s minister emphasized that they should be sought for by all
the regional states. She said economic cooperation is a good
precondition for improving political relations.
At the request of the minister, Armenian prime minister presented
also the pace of Nagorno Karabagh conflict resolution , economic
indicators of Armenia and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, which
Vichorek-Zoil described as “impressive”. The prime then referred to
Armenia’s fulfillments of its commitments on the path to closer
European integration. Importance was also attached to boosting
cooperation in nature protection, energy, infrastructures
development, small and medium- sized businesses and banking.
Andranik Margarian and Vichorek-Zoil noted with satisfaction the
effectiveness of the projects implemented in Armenia with the support
of the German government. Mrs. Vichorek-Zoil informed that her
country is going to provide additional 8 mln Euros for improvement of
water supplies in remote regions of Armenia. She also expressed
readiness to support implementation of new proposals on alternative
energy sources, noting that she had an opportunity to talk about it
with the Armenian energy minister during a conference on energy
issues in Germany.
At the end of the meeting, prime minister Andranik Margarian
thanked Mrs. Vichorek -Zoil for cooperation and understanding. The
minister has personally visited Armenia and know its problems well.
The two expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries
will continue encompassing new fields and will be as effective as
before.
After the meeting with the minister of economic cooperation and
development Armenian prime minister and the delegation accompanying
him visited the Armenian Church in Berlin after which they held
meeting with Klaus Wowereith , the Berlin mayor. During the meeting
with the mayor the sides discussed issues on prospective cooperation
between the two capitals, stating that the economic and political
relations between the two states are a good precondition for
developing ties among regional and local self-management bodies. The
two attached importance to holding cultural days in both countries
and exchange of expertise. The Berlin mayor expressed interest in
economic priorities of Armenia, business partners and prospects of
relations with Turkey. On the request of Klaus Wowereith Andranik
Margarian presented the economic conditions of our country and
strategic plans seeking the support of friendly countries, including
Germany in solving current problems. Armenia prime minister made a
note in the book of honorable guests at the Berlin municipality.
Yesterday evening Andranik Margarian held meetings with Rudolf
Koberlei, who is the deputy prime minister of Baden-Wurtemberg land
and a minister. The sides attached importance to developing ties
between the regions of the two countries. Andranik Margarian urged
Baden Wurtemberg government to invest in Armenia. He invited a
delegation composed of regional leaders and business community to
visit Armenia in order to discuss possible economic projects on the
spot.
Andranik Margarian and Rudolf Koberlei discussed also cooperation
between Gyumri and German regional capital Stuttgart and establishing
sister city relations between the two. The deputy prime minister said
it’s a high honor for Armenian prime minister to meet with Baden
Wurtemberg authorities, the third biggest among 16 lands of Germany.
He wished success to Armenian German economic cooperation conference,
which he said is an important event in developing economic
cooperation between the two states. Andranik Margarian said that it
is very important for Armenia to learn about decentralization
practice, traditions and expertise in Germany. The sides noted that
the friendship between the two countries should develop and encompass
also separate cities and regions. German deputy prime minister,
minister Rudolf Koberlei expressed also interest in economic
situation of Armenia and considered impressive the presented economic
indicators.
In the honor of Armenian prime minister and the delegation
accompanying him yesterday late evening an official reception was
organized in German Baden Wurtemberg Berlin representation.
Today Armenian prime minister Andranik Margarian attended the
opening of Armenian German economic cooperation forum. Slates is his
meeting with education and science minister of Baden Wurtemberg.