RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN RECEIVED A DELEGATION FROM THE EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

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Thursday, 4th of December, 2008

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation from the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development consisting of head
of the EBRD Yerevan Office Michael Weinstein, a number of country
directors, Board members from the European Investment Bank and the
European Community.

Greeting the guests, the Prime Minister expressed conviction that
this visit will boost the cooperation between his government and
the Bank. According to Tigran Sargsyan, while some problems were
encountered during the implementation of a number of EBRD projects
in Armenia, nevertheless significant work has been carried out over
the recent years to strengthen and raise the quality of the ongoing
cooperation. Here, he highlighted the strengthening of interaction
with the private sector. With reference to cooperation priorities, the
head of government stressed the need for broader assistance available
to mall and medium-size enterprises, infrastructure development
(especially in the field of power engineering and road building),
the backing of the efforts for establishing free economic zones
by Zvartnotz Airport and in Gyumri town and expanding the domestic
capital market.

The EBRD Board members were briefed on Armenia’s current economic
status and the 2009 program of action, the possibilities for our
country to meet the threats coming from the global financial and
economic crisis. Tigran Sargsyan noted that the government allows
for Armenia’s competitive assets when developing and implementing the
government’s anti-crisis action plan, looks up ways for demonstrating
our country’s stability and the set of advantages offered to foreign
investors

The delegation members voiced their views on those issues raised during
the discussion and presented the Bank’s vision of its anti-crisis
strategy.

The parties also spoke about Armenia’s relations with the neighboring
States. In particular, the Prime Minister stated Armenia’s interest
in having stable and predictable neighbors and, in this context,
welcomed Turkey’s drive for contracting EU membership as the reforms
needed on this way will help this country assume more predictability
and stability. Tigran Sargsyan expressed hope that relations between
Armenia and Turkey will improve insofar as this process advances. The
Prime Minister further advised that our country maintains good
relationship with Iran and will try to keep them abreast with the
current level. Concerning the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,
the head of the Armenian government said to be hopeful that it will
be resolved through peaceful talks.