ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
 Friday


Antananarivo: Madagascar is delighted with Armenia's economic achievements

 Yerevan February 23

Marianna Mkrtchyan. Madagascar is delighted with the economic
achievements of Armenia. This February 23 in Yerevan at a joint press
conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar Henri Rabari-Ndzaka said.

"Yesterday during the meeting with the Prime Minister of Armenia, I
expressed my admiration for the achievements recorded by the Armenian
economy after the crisis of 1996. I believe that Armenia's economic
opportunities are in tune with the theme of the business forum that
Yerevan plans to hold in the margins of the 17th OIF Summit in October
this year, "the minister said.

Rabari-Nzaka also added that Armenia is a member of the integration
project with 180 million market (Eurasian Economic Union-Ed.), Which
opens new opportunities for Madagascar.

At the same time, he believes that Armenia and Madagascar can actively
interact in the sphere of tourism. According to him, Madagascar's 5000
km coast, rich flora and fauna, and the Armenian side could contribute
to increasing Madagascar's recognition for its citizens. According to
him, Armenia and Madagascar have a serious potential for implementing
joint projects.

Rabari-Ndzak also informed that in May this year the President of
Madagascar Eri Radzanarimampianina will pay a state visit to Armenia,
and the details of the visit are already being worked out.

In turn, Nalbandian stated that the data on the volume of mutual trade
turnover between Armenia and Madagascar are disappointing. "This is
one of the reasons for our decision to make active efforts to
stimulate cooperation." Relations between our countries were
established back in Soviet times, then we actively interacted, so the
current level of cooperation can not satisfy us. "We need to take
active steps to give a new impetus to our cooperation ", the Armenian
Foreign Minister said.

Speaking about the forthcoming summit of Francophonie in Yerevan,
Nalbandian informed that the event will be held under the motto "To
live together." According to him, in Armenia they know firsthand what
it means to live together, because by coincidence of historical
circumstances, today Armenians live in more than 100 countries of the
world, create and develop. He also expressed the hope that an
important document will be signed at the summit of the International
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Yerevan Pact,
if its members are approved by the organization, which will become one
of the fundamental documents of the organization. "It is also planned
to hold a business forum that will promote the promotion of trade and
economic relations within the framework of the MOF and create a
network for businessmen of the member countries of the Francophonie,"
Nalbandian said.