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In Rome President Serzh Sargsyan Met With The Representatives Of The

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  • In Rome President Serzh Sargsyan Met With The Representatives Of The

    IN ROME PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN MET WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF THE COUNTRY

    http://news.president.am/events/news/eng/?id=1942
    13.12.2011

    President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Italy on a working visit, last
    night met with the representatives of the business community of
    the country.

    ***

    Statement by President Serzh Sargsyan at the meeting with the
    representatives of the Italian business community

    Distinguished Businessmen, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    I cordially greet you and initiators of this important initiative.

    Ages-long Armenian-Italian friendship is anchored in the spiritual
    and cultural commonalities of our two nations. The geographical
    position has never been an impediment for the incessant deepening of
    our friendship which was formed centuries ago.

    In the area of trade and economy too, our cooperation has deep
    historical roots. In Italy, first references related to the Armenian
    merchants date back to the 6th century. In 12-14 centuries, Cilician
    Armenia and various Italian cities ~V Genoa, Venice, Pisa, Florence,
    established closed trade relations. Some of these cities even had
    their consulates in Cilicia.

    Imagine this: Cilicia granted free trade and other privileges to
    the merchants of Genoa back in 1201, and hundred years later same
    privileges were granted to the merchants of Florence. Today, we
    actually negotiate with the European Union over having free trade with
    Italy, returning thus to the point where we had been 800 years ago.

    After the fall of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, close
    Armenian-Italian trade relations had been maintained: Armenians began
    to make their contribution to the economic development of the Italian
    cities, promoting profitable trade among the Black Sea region states.

    I would like to invite your attention to the fact that even in the
    absence of statehood our nations managed to deepen economic relations.

    Hence, today, when we, Armenians, have reestablished our statehood,
    there is every reason to develop and deepen our trade and economic
    relations. Today, our trade relations does not properly reflect the
    level of our political relations. We should work toward bringing our
    economic relation in line with our current political relations and
    today~Rs meeting is a step in that direction.

    A number of basic documents, which regulate the trade and economic
    area of our relations, have created a good base for the development
    of the Armenian-Italian cooperation. The overall turnover between
    Armenia and Italy in nine months of 2011 has increased compared to the
    same period of time last year by 50 percent, however it reached only
    130 millions. Of course, fifty percent sounds fine but the absolute
    number is very small and cannot satisfy us.

    Italian capital is present particularly in Armenia~Rs construction,
    hotels and light industries. Success in these areas is evident and,
    I believe, the Italian businessmen feel comfortable in our country.

    However, I would like to note that the amount of the Italian
    investments in negligible: it is two times less than the investments
    from Cyprus, three times less than the investments from the
    Netherlands, six times less than German investments, eight times
    less that Greek and twelve times less than French investments. And
    if your European partners have been able to establish useful links in
    Armenia, I am confident, that the Italian entrepreneurs can do it too,
    probably with a greater success. Nowadays, we are implementing huge
    programs in infrastructure and energy sectors. We are building the
    North-South highway which will connect the Black Sea ports with the
    ports at the Persian Gulf. Construction of the North-South railroad
    is also under consideration. Works for the construction of a new unit
    of the Armenian nuclear power station, which will further strengthen
    Armenia~Rs position on the regional energy market, are also under
    consideration. Our Russian and French partners have already expressed
    desire to participate in these programs. Naturally, I urge Italian
    businessmen to cooperate with us actively in these areas. I also
    invite your attention to the cooperation opportunities opening with
    the establishment in Armenia of Free Economic Zones. Other areas of
    interest for the Italian business can be woodworking industry and
    furniture production, jewelry, agriculture, processing and preserving
    of agricultural products, etc. I believe tourism too can become a
    very promising area.

    I would like to mention yet another area of cooperation. Small and
    medium enterprises constitute the backbone of the Italian economy
    which can be the best example for Armenia. We are particularly
    interested in cooperating with Italy in that area, as well as to study
    Italian experience taking into consideration similar temperament and
    mentality of our peoples, especially their pronounced predisposition
    for family business. I trust, we will have an opportunity to speak
    at greater length about economic reforms in Armenia. However I would
    like to note that the current macroeconomic situation in Armenia
    is assessed as stable, financial and monetary situation is steady,
    while reforms implemented in different areas are meant to constantly
    raise investment attractiveness as well as to ensure a free and secure
    business environment.

    The inauguration of the Eastern Partnership has elevated Armenia-EU
    relations to a qualitatively new level. It will open new and serious
    prospects for the Armenian-Italian cooperation too. Negotiations are
    underway on the Armenia-EU Association agreement and soon negotiations
    on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone will also kick off.

    After the conclusion of the negotiations and signing of the documents,
    Armenia will have a system of the utmost integrated and liberal
    economic relations with EU. Today Armenia already utilizes the
    Generalized System of Preferences Plus regime. It is granted to a very
    limited number of countries and proves that Armenia has a good system
    of governance and creates a considerably privileged regime of trade
    between the Republic of Armenia and EU member states. We are also
    going to sign an agreement on the liberalization of the visa regime.

    Besides, we are envisaging large-scale reforms with the financial and
    expert assistance of the European structures in the tax and customs
    area, judicial system, simplification of business procedures which
    will considerably facilitate your business opportunities in Armenia.

    We are ready to discuss the issue of privileges not only at the
    executive but also at the legislative level.

    Allow me to once again welcome the participants of this meeting,
    thank you for your time and express hope that during our next meeting
    we will register some tangible results.

    Thank you.

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