ARMENIAN-BULGARIAN RELATIONS ARE INSUFFICIENTLY DEVELOPED, ANDRANIK MANUKIAN SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Jun 26 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The 4th regular sitting of the
Armenian-Bulgarian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic,
scientific and technical cooperation is taking place in Yerevan on June
26-27. The commission’s Armenian Co-Chairman, RA Minister of Transport
and Comunication Andranik Manukian said that the Armenian-Bulgarian
economic relations are insufficiently developed, underlining the
necessity for their strengthening. In 2005, the commodity turnover
between the two countries made only 85 mln USD, with Armenia’s exports
amounting to 6-7 mln USD.
A. Manukian noted that there are a lot of unsolved problems in the
trade and economic relations between the two countries. Particularly,
up to now the sides have failed to come to an agreement on the issue
of Yerevan-Sofia air communication, to decide a company of which
country will operate flights.
According to the minister, the Armenian side takes a view that these
flights are not profitable.
It was noted that the RA Ministry of Agriculture intends to purchase
fruit and vegetable processing conveyers from Bulgaria. The problem
of Varna-Port Kavkaz ferry transportation is also under discussion.
A. Manukian attached special importance to the experience of the
Bulgarian side, which allows this country to join the European Union
in 2007.
From: Baghdasarian