JORGEN A.KOSMO: IT’S TIME TO PASS FROM HISTORIC CONTACTS TO
STRENGTHENING OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CONTACTS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND
NORWAY
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. “There have been historic contacts
between Armenia and Norway since the times of Fridtjof Nansen up to
this day and now it’s time to pass from these historic contacts to
establishment and strengthening of political and economic contacts, as
well as establishment of contacts between our parliaments,” Jorgen
A.Kosmo, President of Norwegian Parliament, Storting, who is in
Armenia on an official visit, declared at the June 23 press
conference. He expressed hope that these political contacts will
contribute to establishment of economic cooperation and investments
both in Armenia and Norway. On behalf of the delegation headed by him
he assured that they will try to find ways of assisting to
strengthening of democracy in Armenia, harmonization of legislation,
as well as ways of passing on the great experience of cooperation in
the Scandinavian region to the South Caucasus. According to him,
Norway can be useful in the issue of development of energy in Armenia,
in particular, in the sphere of hydro- and bioenergy, in which Norway
has great experience. Armenia has all necessary factors for
development of tourism, “beautiful country, wonderful people.” In his
opinion, Armenia, as well as other South Caucasian countries can
become a potential market for Western Europe, including Norway, in the
future. The Armenian people having a high level of education,
intellect and diligence, in his opinion, no doubt, is a good potential
even for reconstruction of economy and industry of Europe. “You face
many problems but I think that there will be both democracy and
political will that will help you to solve all the problems,” Kosmo
mentioned expressing hope that both Norway and other Western European
countries will assist Armenia in this issue. “I think we laid a good
foundation for our friendship. Armenia is interested in development of
relations with Norway and other Scandinavian countries,” RA NA Speaker
Artur Baghdasarian declared mentioning the importance of the visit of
Norwegian parliamentary delegation from point of view of development
of inter-state and inter-parliamentary relations. A.Baghdasarian also
expressed gratitude to the Norwegian Council on Issues of Refugees for
the mission it is carrying out in Armenia and mentioned with
satisfaction that programs amounting to 5-6 mln dollars will be
implemented by the Council in Armenia in 2006, too. He also mentioned
the activization of activity of Norwegian Development Fund and
Norwegian Development Agency in Armenia.