ArmenPress
July 8 2004

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER, FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVE EGYPTIAN DIPLOMAT

YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS: Armenian prime minister Andranik
Margarian and the visiting deputy foreign affairs minister of Egypt
Muhammad Shahaban praised on July 7 the high level of political
relations between the two countries, including also relations within
international organizations, emphasizing the need of continuing
bilateral political consultations. Stating the similarity of both
countries’ views concerning the region, the two men agreed that
stability and peace are the key conditions for fostering economic
ties between Egypt and Armenia.
Margarian and Shahaban were quoted by the government’s press
office as saying that trade and economic contacts are lagging behind
the political ones and that the available potential is not used
fully. They expressed hope that reciprocal visits by both countries’
businessmen, organization of exhibitions and business forums will
help to open new cooperation possibilities.
Margarian expressed his satisfaction over the opening of the first
joint enterprise that is manufacturing medicines. He also thanked the
government of Egypt for inviting Armenian specialists for training
courses in Egypt, organized by the Egyptian Foundation for Technical
Cooperation with CIS countries. About 215 Armenian specialists were
trained as part of that program in 2003.
The 4-th session of the Egyptian-Armenian intergovernmental
commission for cooperation, slated to take place in Cairo next autumn
was underscored in terms of giving a new push to developing trade and
economic elations.
Also ides on cooperation between Egyptian and Armenian
universities were exchanged. On the same day deputy foreign minister
Muhammad Shahaban was received by Armenian foreign minister Vartan
Oskanian.