ARMENIA, SYRIA CREATE FAVORABLE LEGISLATIVE FIELD FOR DEVELOPING TRADE, ECONOMIC RELATIONS – PRESIDENT

ARKA
June 18, 2009

YEREVAN, June 18. /ARKA/. Due to joint efforts of the Governments of
Armenia and Syria a favorable legislative field for the development
of bilateral trade and economic relations, said President of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan on Thursday opening the Armenian-Syrian business-forum
in Yerevan with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Asad.

"Unfortunately the level of bilateral trade and economic relations
does not correspond to the level of friendly relations between our
nations as well as of political relations," said President of Armenia.

According to him, the sides have signed an Agreement on Mutual Spurring
and Protection of Investments which is another step towards boosting
the bilateral trade and economic relations between Armenia and Syria.

Sargsyan noted the forum is a good opportunity for getting acquainted
with bilateral achievements in trade and economic sectors as well as
for making new contacts.

"I am sure there is a great potential in the sectors of science
and technologies, agriculture, energy, urban construction, trade,
financial and banking sectors and your task is to ser real goals aimed
at implementation of this potential," stressed Sargsyan addressing
to the President of Syria.

President of Armenia noted Armenian-Syrian friendship has firm bases
and amid these political and economic conditions bot h sides bring
the warm and dynamic relations to a new level where political and
economic cooperation should tend to balance.

According to Sargsyan this aim is not only a warm wish but a
reachable goal as well, especially when Armenian entrepreneurs are
well introduced in business circles of Syria.

"I believe activation of cooperation between business entities of
the two countries and will for creating more favorable conditions
for businesses will contribute to realization of the mentioned goal,"
said the President.

In this context he stressed the role of the Armenians living in Syria.

"I want to ask you to contribute to revealing of the trade and economic
potential between our countries and introducing products of the two
countries using your business contacts. I am assuring you that every
new initiative, every project aimed at activating economic relations
will receive our support," Sargsyan said.