BEIRUT (Aztag)–Armenia’s Prime Minister Armen Darbinian concluded his visit to Lebanon Friday and prior to returning to Yerevan that evening–he met with Lebanese President Ilias Herawi.
Darbinian stated that in his meeting with Herawi–the two discussed the main points of the visit and focused on cooperation between the nations in the economic–cultural and social realms.
Darbinian gave Herawi President Robert Kocharian’s greetings. Herawi presented Darbinain with an invitation for President Kocharian to visit Lebanon.
The Prime Minister also praised the Businessmen’s council which he acknowledged will soon result in direct cooperation between the two nations in the economic sector.
Darbinian also had a meeting with representatives of Lebanon’s Armenian community in the Yeunesco Palace. Darbinian highly praised the cooperation between Armenia and Lebanon in the economic sector and acknowledged the presence and importance of a strong and thriving Diaspora for the benefit of Armenia’s own economic success.
Thursday evening Darbinian met with Lebanon’s parliamentary president Nebih Berri. On Friday–Darbinian met with state minister of trade Fuad Siniora.
"The results of the visit to Lebanon are pretty impressive. I’m praising the work which was done during my visit there and I consider the visit very successful," stated Darbinian during a press conference upon his return from Lebanon.
The prime minister said that during his three day visit–he met with the president–prime minister and parliamentary president of Lebanon and discussed bilateral cooperation and issues which have "political and economic importance for the cooperation between the two countries."
Most importantly–agreemen’s were reached with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Rafik Hariri–concerning the establishment of free trade between the two nations. Darbinian also stated that the two sides discussed cooperation in the field of education. The two prime ministers signed two agreemen’s of cooperation in the spheres of high school and middle school education.
Darbinian also talked about a meeting of the Armenia-Lebanin Businessmen’s Council which took place in Lebanon.
The meeting was organized by the governmen’s of Armenia and Lebanon along with the help of Lebanon’s workers union. Forty Armenian workers were present at the meetings and had the chance to interact with their Lebanese counterparts and present agenda for the future.
There was also a display of Armenian merchandise which was a great opportunity to present Armenian technology to the Middle East.