ARMENIAN PM SAYS ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE NECESSARY TOOLS TO MANAGE ANY RISKS RELATING TO NATIONAL SECURITY

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 15, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: The opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border in long-term prospect will have an essential and notable
impact on the structure of Armenia’s economy, Armenian Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan told Armenpress. According to him, having alternative
communication opportunities, railway, infrastructures will promote that
certain branches of the economy which do not bring income now and are
considered not having prospect become profitable and attractive for
investments. The opening of the border will be an impetus for serious
structural changes and diversification. "This step contains serious
promoting mechanisms for economic growth," the prime minister pointed
out, sharing the opinion of some economists that the opening of the
border will have a positive impact on the growth of Armenia’s GDP. On
the other hand, according to T. Sargsyan, the opening of the border
will promote the competitiveness: "Today we are all complaining of
low level of competitiveness. As a result we, our citizens will win
and our economic system will be more contemporary," he said.

In case of the opening of the border in short-term prospect the prime
minister sees certain risks. "Our entrepreneurs need time to get
prepared to the new situation, to make changes in their activity, to
be ready to competition. Naturally, some businessmen will probably not
stand the trial, yielding their place to other companies. This means
that we must exert greater efforts so that our companies be ready for
competition and our economic system be able to confront new risks," T.

Sargsyan said.

The prime minister also referred to the issue of public concern that
Turks may possibly buy much land in borderline regions which may be
of serious danger. "The state has enough tools to regulate the land
issues – taxes, obligatory payments, ecological payments, applying
of differentiated fees and special standards of land categories. This
tool-group varies, and Armenian authorities have these tools to manage
any risks relating to national security. Our citizens may be calm:
in this case no uncontrolled, dangerous processes can take place,"
the prime minister pointed out.