YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–A Russian governmental delegation led by Deputy Parliament Speaker Valery Serov arrived in Armenia Monday for the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation plenary session.
The session was presided over by Prime Minster Robert Kocharian and Serov. Greeting the participants–Kocharian noted that Armenia and Russia are strategic partners. He voiced confidence that the first session of the intergovernmental commission that was formed last year will yield practical results and give new life to Armenia-Russia economic cooperation.
Serov said that the close cooperation is a necessity for the two countries. The plenary session established groups which are to sign intergovernmental agreemen’s on cooperation in various fields.
Stressing that a necessary base for strengthening of economic ties has already been created–the sides prioritized the importance of increasing cooperation in different fields.
The meeting was attended by Chief of the Government Office Shahen Karamanoukian–Armenian Ambassador to Russia Gagik Shahbazian and other officials.
Following the plenary sessions–seven documen’s were signed Tuesday.
These agreemen’s include–a protocol of the session of the Armenia-Russia intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation; an agreement on restructuring of credit in Armenia; an agreement on order and conditions of reception and broadcast of programs of the Russian broadcasting companies Armenia borders; a protocol on supplies of essential goods in1997 attached to the agreement on trade and economic cooperation for 1996-97; a program of exchange in the field of sciences–culture and education for 1997; an agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Communications of Russia and the Ministry of Transport of Armenia in the field of sciences–technologies and personnel; and a protocol on implementation of an agreement on mutual recognition of rights and regulation of property signed in 1992.
"All of the agreemen’s we have signed today are of a pragmatic nature. We proceed from the idea that the economies of our countries should be mutually supplementary and mutually beneficial," said Serov following the signing.
Serov said that the sides had agreed that their relations should be aimed at creating a prospective program of economic cooperation.
Serov noted that eight more documen’s–including ones on cooperation in the humanitarian field–allocation of loans to Armenia for creation and maintenance of a fuel-energy base in Armenia as well as a number of other professional agreemen’s are expected to be signed during Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s upcoming visit to Moscow.
Kocharian evaluated the results of the first session and said the meetings were held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere
The delegation later met with Ter-Petrosyan.