Assad says Turkey not partner or guarantor for Syria

August 21, 2017 By administrator

Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Sunday that Damascus does not consider Ankara as its partner or a guarantor state of Syrian settlement as the latter allegedly supports terrorism and thus undermines political and social crisis settlement in Syria, Sputnik agency reported.

According to the source, the activities of Ankara in the region prompted criticism from Damascus, which says that Turkey’s actions in the Syrian province of Idlib, the seizing of Syrian territory and building of camps to train militants in the area are a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and UN Security Council resolutions.

“[Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan is playing the role of political beggar after his support for terrorists was exposed. We do not consider the Turkish side to be a partner nor a guarantor nor do we trust it,” Assad said in a speech at the opening of the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry Conference in Syria, as quoted by the SANA news agency.

Armenia nominates key partners in the economic field

August 4, 2017 By administrator

On Thursday, August 3, the Armenian government presented the list of its main economic partners, with which it has set itself the priority to develop its links. At the top of this list are 14 countries, including Russia, the United States, China, and the main members of the European Union. The list, which also includes the Iranian and Georgian neighbors, was drawn up by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and approved by Prime Minister Karen Karapetian at the weekly Cabinet meeting. It calls on the Armenian Government to make every effort to boost Armenian exports to these countries and to attract more investment and tourists.

K. Karapetian called on the Armenian embassies in the countries concerned to do so. “Special attention must be paid to the countries quoted,” Armenian Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharian said at the meeting of the Council of Ministers, adding that the circle of the major economic partners of Armenia Was bound to widen thereafter. In its political program approved by the National Assembly last June, K.Karapetian’s government identified export development and the ability to attract foreign investment as its priorities. At the beginning of the year, the government undertook to ensure a double-digit increase in Armenian exports in the years to come. Although Russia ranks high on Armenia’s list of partners, and for good reason, since it remains its main economic and trade partner, on the other hand, it is not surprising that Armenia’s partners In the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a union of ex-Soviet Republics led by Russia, which Armenia had enthusiastically embraced in January 2015.

The list, on the other hand, EU; Including France, Germany and Italy, with which Armenia had to limit its integration, because of rallying to the Eurasian Union of Putin. Armenian officials have preferred not to expand on this aspect. “The choice of countries is not conditioned by our membership in the EEU or any other union,” said Deputy Minister of Economic Development Garegin Melkonian in front of journalists, adding that “this list is destined to be extended in the future”.

According to the official figures of the Armenian government, Russia alone accounts for 97% of the trade volume between the Army and its EEU partners, about $ 760 million for the first half of the current year. Even if it is a member of the EEU, Armenia has privileged trade relations with the EU and the United States, two huge markets to which its exporters can access much more freely in terms of taxes. For the first six months of the year, Armenia’s trade volume with the EU and the United States amounted to $ 677 million and $ 73 million, respectively. Over the past decade, China has become one of Armenia’s main partners, and trade between the two countries has increased by 35% between January and June, reaching $ 243 million. Iran is also expected to become a major partner of Armenia, as Armenian President Serge Sarkisian recalled on the eve of an official visit to Tehran.

Friday, August 4, 2017,
Gari © armenews.com

Armenia second major business partner for Germany – ambassador

November 22, 2016 By administrator

Armenia is Germany’s second major business partner after Russia and China, Ambassador Bernhard Matthias Kiesler said today, highlighting the increased trade turnover between the two countries.

At a news conference in Yerevan, the diplomat noted that his country’s financial allocations amounted to € 54.4 million in 2016 alone. Additionally, he said, Germany spent €22 million for regional projects.
After intergovernmental negotiations on Monday, a bilateral protocol was signed at the Ministry of Finance.

“2016 was really a unique year in the development of the Armenian-German relations,” he said, citing the mutual intensive visits (including Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s trip to Berlin and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s trip to Yerevan in late June) and Germany’s presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Asked why then major German companies’ presence to Armenia is not visible, the ambassador replied:

German businessmen are interested in counties with large markets and political stability to make investments. Regrettably, German medial headlines about Armenia and the region did not speak of regional stability. Their topic was the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Such problems are an obstacle to small and medium businessmen in terms of economic interest.

German businessmen point out ample opportunities not only for trade, but also for production in Armenia. Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is one more factor making Armenia attractive to German businessmen.

Anush Dashtents

Germany is one of Armenia’s main economic partners in Europe

June 18, 2014 By administrator

June 18, 2014 | 08:10

YEREVAN. – Armenia and Germany Foreign Affairs Ministers Edward Nalbandian and Frank-Walter Steinmeier met Tuesday in Berlin.

Steinmeier expressed satisfaction by the active political dialogue between the two countries, and stressed that Germany looks toward further enhancing cooperation with Armenia, the Armenia MFA press service informed.

In turn, Nalbandian noted that Armenian-German relations have developed on a regular basis and gained new momentum. The minister stressed that Germany is one of Armenia’s main economic partners in Europe.

Subsequently, the two FMs highlighted that there is a solid legal and contractual framework between the two countries, their collaboration within international organizations is developing, the interparliamentary contacts are on a high level, and their business ties are expanding. The interlocutors noted that Armenia and Germany effectively cooperate also within the framework of peacekeeping operations.

Next, the Armenian and the German FMs reflected on several regional and international matters. Minister Nalbandian briefed his German colleague on the ongoing efforts by Armenia and the international community toward a pacific settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The two ministers also discussed Armenia-European Union relations stressing that the both sides have expressed readiness to continue the comprehensive cooperation.

In addition, Nalbandian invited the German FM to visit Armenia.

Afterward, Edward Nalbandian and Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a briefing with reporters.

On the same day, Armenia FM Edward Nalbandian also met with Christoph Heusgen, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief adviser on foreign policy and security matters. They conferred on a number of regional and international issues.