VERBATIM RECORD OF PRESS CONFERENCE OF RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN AND GEORGIAN PRIME MINISTER NIKA GILAURI
Tues day, 26 January 2010
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan – Dear Colleagues, I am glad to
welcome my Georgian counterpart to Yerevan. We have agreed on all the
target spheres of cooperation. The agenda covered several fields of
economic, social and cultural activity. It is my pleasure to state
that we have instructed task force representatives to include all
concerned arrangements in the minutes of today’s meeting. We are
convinced that this sitting of the intergovernmental commission will
boost bilateral cooperation.
Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri – I would like to greet you all
and thank the Prime Minister of Armenia for such a warm welcome. I
express my appreciation of the work done by every task force expert
over the past few days. It was a difficult mission which led them to a
final agreement over the long-discussed items on the agenda. The 8th
sitting of the intergovernmental commission was exciting in that it
covered issues from all spheres of cooperation – cultural, social,
energy-related and macroeconomic questions. I am hopeful that the
next 9th sitting to be held in Georgia will be as much effective
and, on this occasion, I wish to extend an invitation to my Armenian
counterpart. Once again, I express appreciation and conviction that
this visit will build on our traditional ties of friendship.
Question to the Prime Minister of Georgia – To what extend is Georgia
interested in the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border from the
economic standpoint? Have you made any estimates as to the expected
transit revenue losses and, also, are you going to reconsider the
tariffs applicable on transit and transportation of goods?
Answer – Any regional conflict settlement is welcome. We welcome
the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border and the settlement of
bilateral relations. As far as tariffs are concerned, I think the
opening of border will not affect them, though all countries in our
region inclusive of Georgia and Armenia are supposed to benefit from
diversification.
Question to the prime ministers – You have already mentioned those
areas involving task force experts. What arrangements have been made
in the energy sector?
Prime Minister of Georgia – We maintain sufficiently good relations
in the field of energy. There were a number of arrangements made by
the time I was minister of energy. Today as well, we have signed an
agreement on construction of a 400kV transmission line. I feel it
will benefit both Armenia and Georgia.
Prime Minister of Armenia – It was a key measure featuring on the 2010
agenda of my government. Appropriate funding will be earmarked, and
I am convinced that engineering works will be provided a significant
momentum this year.
Question to the Prime Minister of Georgia – What do you think of
Armenia’s role in the settlement of Russian-Georgian relations?
Answer – I would like to see a role to be played by Russia itself.
Russia has imposed restrictions on a number of fields. As to the
opening of the Upper Lars border checkpoint, I believe it will be
to the advantage of Armenia. I mean Russia should refrain from all
kinds of bans and restrictions.