ARMENIAN-LITHUANIAN TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION STILL ON LOW LEVEL

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006

YEREVAN, April 26. /ARKA/. The Armenian-Lithuanian trade and economic
cooperation is still on a low level and does not open up the two
parties’ potentials, despite the fact that some goods turnover growth
was recorded in 2005 compared to 2004.

The Public Relations Department and Press Service of the RA Government
reported that Armenian Premier Andranik Margaryan expressed such an
opinion during his meeting with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus
In this context, Margaryan expressed confidence that organization
of a business-forum in the frameworks of the Lithuanian President’s
visit to Armenia will serve as an additional incentive for a further
extension of trade and economic relations between the two countries The
parties also pointed out the importance of signing of the agreement
“On Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments”, and also
amendments to the agreement “On Trade and Economic Cooperation
between Governments of Armenian and Lithuania” Margaryan and Adamkus
emphasized the importance of business conferences, frequent mutual
visits, periodic exchange of business information and organization
of exhibitions for encouragement of trade and economic relations.

“Extension is necessary in the cooperation between chambers of commerce
and industry, manufacturers and enterprise unions, strengthening of
interaction in the field of small- and medium-scale enterprises’
development, and also fields of science, technologies, innovation
policy, agriculture, transport and tourism,” they said.

In their turn, the two countries’ vice-ministers of agriculture and
transport presented possibilities of cooperation in these fields.

Adamkus stressed the necessity in improving transport networks,
including putting the Abkhazian railway into operation. Margaryan
responded that Armenian repeatedly expressed readiness to participate
in practical works in this field.

They also touched upon cooperation in the sphere of energy,
particularly the energy security issues.

Margaryan also told the Lithuanian president about the current
situation with Armenia’s relations with the region’s countries in
the frameworks of the regional cooperation.

The delegation led by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus is currently
in Armenia by invitation of Armenian President Robert Kocharyan until
25-26 April.