RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN IS IN ITALY TO ATTEND A FAO SUMMIT. EARLIER TODAY TIGRAN SARGSYAN DELIVERED A STATEMENT

Tu esday, 17 November 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is in Italy to attend a FAO summit.

Earlier today Tigran Sargsyan delivered a statement, which reads in
part: "Mr. Chairman, Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen. Full member
of the FAO since 1993, the Republic of Armenia has been involved in
the activities of the Organization for about twenty years now. The past
years of cooperation were those of effective work leading to numerous
achievements. We are stating with pride that our country’s example was
cited among four other success stories in the FAO’s "Ways of Success"
report as a good experience of setting tasks and addressing them
with perseverance. Indeed, this does not mean that all the problems
are solved, so we should work with renewed effort to build on these
achievements and continue with progress in the sphere of agriculture."

It is common knowledge that food production is at high risk all over
the world including Armenia. The current financial and economic crisis
adds its negative impact on the issue of food demand especially in
developing countries. This is why we appreciate the holding of this
summit, as well as the efforts made by the States and international
organizations. Those present will still have the opportunity of
referring to the Declaration of this summit on food security. I feel
that we are going to have quite interesting and substantial debates.

My position is strict and clear-cut enough. The Republic of Armenia
endorses the Summit Declaration. It meets our government’s vision
and the underlying principles are acceptable to us.

Dear Director General,

We highly appreciate the decision to hold the 36th Session of FAO’s
European Commission on Agriculture and the 27th European Regional
Conference of FAO in Yerevan from May 10-14, 2010. I hope that the
decisions adopted in Yerevan will contribute to the considerable
improvement of the level of food security. We are looking forward to
seeing you again in Yerevan.

Allow me, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, to
extend my deepest gratitude to the Food and Agriculture Organization
and personally to Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf, to all donor
community members and all countries with good will, for their
collaborative efforts to find solutions to the world’s rising
problems. I am confident that with collaborative efforts of all
countries we will be able to meet all challenges of food insecurity
and gradually eradicate hunger and poverty in the world."

After the proceedings of the forum, the Prime Minister of Armenia had
an interview with Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General
Dr. Jacques Diouf to discuss a bilateral cooperation-related agenda.

Tigran Sargsyan expressed Armenia’s appreciation of the ongoing RA-FAO
collaboration and the programs implemented in our country. The head
of government reiterated Armenia’s readiness to host the 36th Session
of FAO’s European Commission on Agriculture and the 27th European
Regional Conference of FAO in Yerevan from May 10-14, 2010.

The Prime Minister underscored the need for making joint efforts toward
grain, corn, potato seed breeding, pisciculture, cattle stock recording
and registration, as well as introducing a system of agricultural
insurance in Armenia.

The FAO Director-General said the new cooperation priorities may
result in a more efficacious collaboration between the Republic of
Armenia and his organization.

During the day, the head of government is also scheduled to meet with
President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) Kanayo Nwanze and UN World Food Programme (WFP) Executive
Director Josette Sheeran.