Sarkisian expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for the warm welcome and was confident that mutual exchange between Armenia and the UAE will strengthen their relationship to a qualitatively new level and development of bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, Sarkisian highlighted the importance of deepening trade, economic and investment cooperation with the countries of the Persian Gulf. He said that Armenia views the UAE as an important hub for transportation from Armenia to the Gulf region and vice versa. He informed Al Maktoum that he has made an offer to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan to organize an investment conference in the Emirates dedicated to Armenia. According to Sarkisian, successfully organized conferences at the UAE will allow the major investment companies from the Emirates and regional countries to create opportunities for investments in Armenia.
The parties stressed the importance of establishing the visa-free regime to promote tourism. Al Maktoum noted that starting 2017, the Emirates plan to begin daily flights from Dubai to Yerevan.
A document signing ceremony took place at the close of the meeting. Armenia and the UAE signed a number of documents aimed at the deepening and strengthening of the bilateral cooperation in different areas. Signed were agreements on cooperation in security and the fight against terrorism, as well a memorandum of understanding between the Supreme Council for National Security, National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority on cooperation in emergency situations, an agreement for scientific and technical cooperation and an agreement on expansion of investment and business opportunities between the Chamber of Commerce of both countries.
The interlocutors hailed the friendly relations between the two countries but noted that the economic ties do not correspond to the high-level political dialogue, reported Public Radio of Armenia.
The UAE’s leadership assured of their interest in investment programs in Armenia and pledged their willingness to discuss Armenia’s proposals on cooperation in different spheres, to visit the country and study the environment on the ground.
Sarkisian informed them that Armenia has prepared strategic investment packages, which he keeps in the spotlight, and that large investors from the UAE will be given priority within Armenia.
