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HIGH-LEVEL NORWEGIAN DELEGATION VISITS ARMENIA TO BOOST BILATERAL COMMERCIAL TIES
by: Lilit Gevorgyan
Global Insight
November 10, 2011
On 9 November, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan met with the
Foreign Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Store who is visiting the South
Caucasian republic on an official tour. The visit was to mark the 150th
anniversary of the birth of Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian who in his
capacity as League of Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees saved
the lives of thousands of Armenians fleeing the massacres by Ottoman
Turks between 1915 and 1923--acts that have been labelled as genocide
by over 20 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Russia but
denied by modern-day Turkey. The visit was to highlight historic links
between the two countries and reaffirm positive political dialogue,
but most importantly it was to boost co-operation especially in the
energy sector.
The countries launched a three-year bilateral programme to boost the
development of small hydropower plants in Armenia. It is a three-stage
programme which will first assess the environmental and social impact
of the potential small hydropower plants, followed by training of
personnel for the plants and assessment of environmental impact of the
operations of potential plants. The project will also involve other
international experts as well as representatives of international
organisations working in Armenia. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry will
be funding the programme with participation of Armenian Hydro-Energy
Company and the Norwegian Norsk Energy. Norwegian hydropower companies
SWECO, Gauldal Consult AS and the International Hydropower Centre
(ICH) will also support the programme.
Significance:Despite the geographic distance Armenia and Norway have
had relatively strong ties. The newly launched hydropower development
programme is set to give a new impetus to their bilateral relations.
Armenia, owing to its mountainous terrain, is an attractive destination
for companies specialising in hydropower generation.
Norway is a valuable partner in this regard having relevant expertise
and high-tech technologies. If successful, the project could lead to
realisation of the Armenian government's long-term plan of diversifying
its energy generation, which is currently heavily dependent on ageing
Soviet- era nuclear power station.
by: Lilit Gevorgyan
Global Insight
November 10, 2011
On 9 November, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan met with the
Foreign Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Store who is visiting the South
Caucasian republic on an official tour. The visit was to mark the 150th
anniversary of the birth of Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian who in his
capacity as League of Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees saved
the lives of thousands of Armenians fleeing the massacres by Ottoman
Turks between 1915 and 1923--acts that have been labelled as genocide
by over 20 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Russia but
denied by modern-day Turkey. The visit was to highlight historic links
between the two countries and reaffirm positive political dialogue,
but most importantly it was to boost co-operation especially in the
energy sector.
The countries launched a three-year bilateral programme to boost the
development of small hydropower plants in Armenia. It is a three-stage
programme which will first assess the environmental and social impact
of the potential small hydropower plants, followed by training of
personnel for the plants and assessment of environmental impact of the
operations of potential plants. The project will also involve other
international experts as well as representatives of international
organisations working in Armenia. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry will
be funding the programme with participation of Armenian Hydro-Energy
Company and the Norwegian Norsk Energy. Norwegian hydropower companies
SWECO, Gauldal Consult AS and the International Hydropower Centre
(ICH) will also support the programme.
Significance:Despite the geographic distance Armenia and Norway have
had relatively strong ties. The newly launched hydropower development
programme is set to give a new impetus to their bilateral relations.
Armenia, owing to its mountainous terrain, is an attractive destination
for companies specialising in hydropower generation.
Norway is a valuable partner in this regard having relevant expertise
and high-tech technologies. If successful, the project could lead to
realisation of the Armenian government's long-term plan of diversifying
its energy generation, which is currently heavily dependent on ageing
Soviet- era nuclear power station.