Bulgaria, Armenia decide to boost bilateral trade, contacts

BTA web site, Sofia
29 Jun 04

Sofia, 29 June: The last year and a half has witnessed a breakthrough
in Bulgarian-Armenian trade, the two countries’ National Assembly
chairmen, Ognyan Gerdzhikov of Bulgaria and Artur Baghdasaryan, found
when they conferred here Tuesday [29 June].

“The bilateral political dialogue has experienced a tangible
invigoration in recent years, after lagging behind for a certain
period,” Gerdzhikov said, noting that his guest is the first Armenian
head of parliament to pay an official visit to Bulgaria.

Trade and economic relations topped the agenda of the meeting. “I
declared Bulgaria’s readiness to serve as Armenia’s gateway to
Europe,” Gerdzhikov added. The sides discussed bilateral cooperation
in transport, the prospects to regional cooperation and contacts in
culture, education and science.

Baghdasaryan said that he has agreed with his host to assist the
promotion of cooperation between regions in the two
countries. “Wednesday’s signing of a twinning agreement between
Plovdiv and Gyumri will be the first step in this direction,” he
added.

It was agreed to include members of the business community in the
delegation that will accompany Gerdzhikov on his visit to Armenia
early next year and to organize an economic forum in Armenia to help
the promotion of bilateral economic cooperation.

The two heads of parliament agreed to assist the establishment of a
Bulgarian culture centre in Yerevan and of an Armenian culture centre
in Sofia.

The Armenian MPs are paying a four-day official visit. Later on
Tuesday, they will confer with ranking members of the Foreign Policy,
Defence and Security Committee. The delegation is scheduled to meet
President Georgi Purvanov and Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress