ARMENIAN PRESIDENT WANTS TO SPUR RELATIONS WITH SYRIA

ARKA
June 18, 2009

YEREVAN, June 18. /ARKA/. On Wednesday, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan, speaking at a joint press conference with his Syrian
counterpart Bashar Asad, pointed out the necessity to spur
Armenian-Syrian relations.

"The two nations’ friendship shows that not only dialogue between
different religions, cultures and civilizations but also coexistence
and mutual supplementation and enrichment are possible in the world",
Sargsyan said.

He said that coexistence implies peace and cooperation in investment,
trade and economic areas.

The president also stressed the role of Armenian community in Syria
in friendly relations between the two countries.

At the same time, he pointed out that the Armenians living in Syria
play an important part in culture, politics and interstate relations,
but they are not so active in investment and economy areas.

"Ground transportation links could contribute a great deal to
development of economic relations, and we work to give such an
opportunity to our entrepreneurs", Sargsyan said though adding that
this circumstance can’t justify sluggishness in economic relations.

He said that at the next meeting, the co-chairs of the
intergovernmental commission will report about new agreements and
trade turnover growth.

"Our capacity is great, and we should use it for out national
interests", Sargsyan said.