ARMENIA PM MEETS KINGDOM OF SWEDEN STATE SECRETARY FOR TRADE
armradio.am
03.04.2009 11:28
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation headed by
Kingdom of Sweden State Secretary for Trade Gunnar Wislander.
Appreciative of recently activated bilateral contacts, the Prime
Minister of Armenia expressed hope that this visit of the State
Secretary-led delegation will boost economic and political exchanges
between the two countries.
Tigran Sargsyan said to be informed on those cooperation-friendly
meetings and discussions the Swedish delegation has had with Armenian
public and private sector representatives under the visit program. The
Prime Minister underscored Armenia’s readiness to develop the
Armenian-Swedish interaction in both bilateral and EU-Armenia formats.
In presenting our country’s development possibilities and programs
amidst a quickly evolving world, the Prime Minister said to be
convinced that once supported by the European Union and other
partners, Armenia will be able to overcome not only those temporary
hardships coming from the global crisis, but also any eventual
long-term challenges ahead. In particular, the Prime Minister cited
Armenia’s adherence to the GSP+ system as of January 1, 2009 as a
landmark achievement in the history of EU-Armenia cooperation as this
implies considerably lower duties on EU-bound Armenian exports. In
this respect, the Prime Minister evoked his government’s drive for
ensuring that as many Armenian producers as possible might benefit
from this opportunity.
With reference to bilateral economic ties, Tigran Sargsyan highlighted
the ongoing cooperation with the OMX which as effective since January,
2008 when the OMX was entrusted with the management of Armenia’s
Stock Market and Central Depository is seen as the key to Armenia’s
aspiration for becoming a regional financial center. Tigran Sargsyan
said to be hopeful that the successful record of a mutually beneficial
cooperation with the OMX will encourage other Swedish investors to
invest in our country.
Gunnar Wislander said to be convinced that while developing
successfully, the Armenian-Swedish cooperation, both bilateral and
in the EU-Armenia format, offers far more development opportunities
than what is used currently. Welcoming the Armenian government’s
growth-targeting ambitious programs and undertakings, the Swedish
State Secretary assured of his country’s readiness to possibly assist
Armenia with its efforts.