ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: THERE ARE WIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE SWEDISH INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The Swedish Ambassador to Armenia
Hans Gunar Aden was received on October 25 by the RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian. According to the RA Government Information and
PR Department, congratulating the ambassador on his appointment, the
prime minister expressed confidence that his activities will promote
the further development of the Armenian-Swedish political and economic
relations. He restated the Armenian side’s interest in deepening the
mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. A. Margarian
said that he is optimistic about the prospects of cooperation between
Armenia and Sweden, taking into account the successful course of the
technical programs implemented in Armenia since 1995 with financing of
the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Underlining the
importance of these programs, A. Margarian suggested discussing the
issue of extenstion of sectors covered by these programs by including
the local self-government and democacratic development fields as
well. Speaking about the development of the Armenian-Swedish economic
relations, the sides indicated such sectors as telecommunication,
IT, machine building, agriculture, tourism as promising ones. Noting
that favorable conditions have been created for implementation of
investment programs in the country, the prime minister considered it
desirable to carry out cooperation in science, education and culture
along with the political and economic cooperation. Noting that 9
companies with Swedish capital are currently operating in Armenia,
he underlined the existence of wide opportunities to increase their
number and the amount of Swedish investments in Armenia. At the request
of the guest, the prime minister presented Armenia’s activities aimed
at Eurointegration, cooperation with NATO, noting that for security
reasons and not contradicting the interests of any country, Armenia is
also actively cooperating as a member state of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization. Expressing his gratitude for the warm reception,
Mr. Aden said that his country is ready to develop relations with
Armenia. He assured that henceforth the Swedish side will allocate
more time and resources for the South Caucasian countries, including
for promotion of relations with Armenia, attaching importance to
Armenia’s involvement in the EU European Neighborhood Program. The
ambassador stated that Sweden will continue assisting Armenia in its
efforts aimed at Eurointegration.