ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN TRADE TURNOVER $120.4MLN IN 1ST HALF OF 2005

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. In the 1st half of 2005, Armenian-Russian
trade turnover increased by 31% and totaled $120.4mln. This statement
was made at RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan’s meeting with
RF Minister of Transport Igor Levitin. The sides expressed their
satisfaction with the increase in the trade turnover over the past
two years. Margaryan stressed that Russia remains Armenia’s largest
trade partner, and over 160 intergovernmental agreements allow the
countries’ to develop all-round cooperation. The sides stated that
numerous arrangements held as part of the Year of Russia in Armenia,
which will be continued as part of the Year of Armenia in Russia,
greatly contribute to the bilateral cooperation as well. The RA
Premier pointed out the importance of intensifying contacts between
administrative units. He said that transport communication an seriously
contribute to further expansion of bilateral cooperation, and Armenia
attaches high importance to the re-operation of the “Poti-Caucasus”
ferry service. Margaryan also pointed out Armenia’s interest in the
re-operation of the Abkhazian section of the Georgian railway. The
sides discussed the possibility of trilateral (Russia, Georgia and
Armenia) involvement in the construction project.

According to Margaryan, the Armenian side regularly addresses this
problem at meetings with the Georgian colleagues.

In his turn, Levitin expressed a hope that the RF Prime Minister’s
planned visit to Armenia will give an impetus to the development of
Armenian-Russian political and economic relations.