ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS THE ARMENIAN-SYRIAN BUSINESS FORUM IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO GET AQUAINTED WITH EACH OTHERS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE TRADE-ECONOMIC SPHERE AND TO ESTABLISH BUSINESS LINKS

ARMENPRESS
June 18, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian-Syrian business forum was
held today in the Reception House of the Armenian Government. Armenian
and Syrian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Bashar al-Assad, head of
the Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Martin Sargsyan, Head
of the Syrian Trade Chamber Union Ghassan al Kalaa as well as more
than 160 businessmen from the two states were present.

Greeting the participants of the forum M. Sargsyan noted that the visit
of Syrian President to Armenia was a pleasant and proper occasion to
once more assess the relationship and economic links between the two
states and to discuss the prospects of their development.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan welcomed the participants of the
conference wishing them a fruitful activity. According to him, the
Armenian-Syrian relationship have firm bases, in the conditions of
present economic and political realities the two states construct warm
and dynamically developing relations of a new quality with which the
levels of political and economic cooperation must aim to equalize.

According to him, this aim is not merely a kind wish; the Armenian
entrepreneurs are seriously represented in the Syrian business
circles. Armenian President considers one of the most important
means of realization of the mentioned aim to be the existence of
mutual political will to foster links between the entrepreneurs
of the two states and create a more favorable environment for the
entrepreneurship.

President Sargsyan noted that during the visit of B. al Assad an
agreement of encouragement of investments and mutual protection
has been signed which is another step made towards the boosting of
trade-economic relations.

Stressing the importance of his visit to Armenia the Syrian President
noted that this is a good opportunity to get acquainted with the
economic and political condition of this state.

"The Armenian nation has always expressed its gratitude to the Syrian
people for supporting them in the last century. All of us also felt
that during these two days," B. al Asad said.

"The long-term projects with which the businessmen of the two states
can make investments are also very important. The only barrier between
Armenia and Syria is the absence of land communication.

During the intercourse with S. Sargsyan we spoke about this issue. The
regulation of relations between Armenia and Turkey is very important;
it will contribute to the development of economies of Armenia as well
as of Turkey and Syria," B. al Assad said.

B. al Assad also stressed the importance of smoothening of visa terms
especially for the businessmen and tourists. According to him there
are numerous issues but we must exert all our effort to overcome them.