ARMENIA SURPRISED THAILAND MPs AS A COUNTRY WITH A GREAT POTENTIAL IN
THE SPHERE OF HIGH TECHNOLOGIES

YEREVAN, JULY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. From 21 to 27 of July the
Thailand-Armenia deputy group of friendship of the Thailand Parliament
visited Armenia. Deputy groups of frienship have been functioning in
Parliaments of Armenia and Thailand since 2001, however, this was the
first visit to Yerevan by Thailand MPs. The parliamentary delegation
of Armenia is likely to visit Thailand in December 2004 or January
2005. Before that time agreements to be signed in the spheres of
tourism and culture must be prepared. This information was announced
by the heads of groups of friendship functioning in both countries –
Koryun Arakelian, a member of the “National Unity” faction of the NA
of RA and Said Kulharoen, a senator from Thailand at a joint press
conference on July 27. According to S. Kulcharoen, the aim of the
parliamentary friendship groups is to contribute to the establishment
of links between the parliaments, as well as the development of
relations between the counties. The Thailand-Armenia parliamentary
group of friendship is composed of 36 members, including present and
former senators and deputies. It is one of the 35 groups of friendship
functioning in the Parliament of Thailand. Kulcharoen said that
Armenia impressed them not only as an ancient country with a unique
culture and people, but also as a country with a great potential in
the sphere of new technologies. The latter factor may become a good
incentive for the development of further cooperation between the two
countries. On behalf of the delegation he expressed gratitude to the
Armenian side for excellent organization of the reception. As Koryun
Arakelyan noted, they had made every effort to introduce the Thailand
partners to the state of Armenian economy, people’s life, culture,
historic and cultural sights of Armenia. Meetings with representatives
of the executive power were also organized. The delegation visited a
number of industrial enterprises, including a joint Armenian-Thailand
diamond cutting and jewelry enterprise. According to him, a similar
enterprise also functions in Thailand.