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ARMENIAN PRESIDENT INVITES FRENCH BUSINESS TO COOPERATE
Tert.am
20:11 29.09.11
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who is on an official visit to
France, had a working breakfast with Armenian and French businessmen.
The Armenian leader delivered a speech.
Addressing the attendees, President Serzh Sargsyan expressed his
gratitude for the important meeting. The centuries-old Armenian-French
friendship is based on common spiritual and cultural values, and
geographical distance is not an obstacle to the strengthening of
this friendship.
Bilateral economic cooperation has a long history as well. French
engineers constructed Armenia's railway, which was tremendous work
at that time. Armenians, in turn, contributed to France's economic
development. The Statue of Jean Althen (Hovhannes Althounian) in
Avignon reminds people of an Armenian agronomist, who developed the
cultivation of madder in France.
Hundreds of thousands of French citizens of Armenian descent contribute
to the development of France and Armenia thereby strengthening
bilateral ties, the Armenian leader said.
He pointed out France's invaluable role in the development of
independent Armenia. Developing trade and economic relations with
France has always been of importance for Armenia. France is Armenia's
major trade partner, and its investments in Armenia's economy are
the second largest. By July 2011, they had totaled U.S. $695m. Also,
155 Armenian-French joint ventures are operating in Armenia.
The Armenian president cited examples of French investments in
Armenia's economy: telecommunication, hard beverage production,
banking, medicine, tourism, agriculture, light industry. Such large
French companies as Credit Agricole Bank, Orange, Pernod Ricar,
Alcatel, Grant Thornton Amyot are represented in Armenia. The legal
basis necessary for developing economic ties has been created as well.
Despite the achievements, the sides still have great potential to
realize. France is not even among the top ten trade and economic
partners of Armenia, which in not in conformity with the bilateral
political level.
Armenia is implementing large-scale projects - the North-South
highway and railway, construction of a new nuclear-power plant -
and expects its French partners' active involvement. Armenia wants
its French partners to be more actively involved in the projects
worth billions of US dollars, given the French companies' wide
experience. The Armenian president expressed his satisfaction with
two French companies' interest in Armenia's transport and energy
sectors. He welcomed the fact and assured the attendees that the
Armenian side will do its best to assist possible projects.
Speaking of the economic reforms in Armenia, the Armenian president
pointed out macroeconomic stability in Armenia, which is confirmed
by international agencies. The country has financial and monetary
stability, and announced an Open Door policy to attract investments.
The basic principles of this policy are the most favored treatment
and protection of all types of property.
The Eastern Partnership project raised the level of Armenia-EU
relations, which opens up ample opportunities for Armenian-French
business cooperation. First, Armenia plans to start negotiations for
the formation of a comprehensive free trade zone, which will enable
the country to get an integrated system of liberal economic relations.
Secondly, Armenia plans to sign an agreement liberalizing visa
requirements, which will facilitate business contacts. Thirdly, with
European financial and technical assistance, Armenia launched deep
tax, customs, judicial reforms, and facilitated business management
procedures.
"I call on all of our French partners to establish active cooperation
with Armenian businessmen. No doubt, business must be top priority.
But you can make a major contribution to our region's harmonious
development and, consequently, to the formation of a peace and
stability zone to neighbor on the European Union. Finally, you will
have your say in the progressive development of Armenian-French
friendship...We want our relations to consistently develop.
"Thank you."
From: Baghdasarian
Tert.am
20:11 29.09.11
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who is on an official visit to
France, had a working breakfast with Armenian and French businessmen.
The Armenian leader delivered a speech.
Addressing the attendees, President Serzh Sargsyan expressed his
gratitude for the important meeting. The centuries-old Armenian-French
friendship is based on common spiritual and cultural values, and
geographical distance is not an obstacle to the strengthening of
this friendship.
Bilateral economic cooperation has a long history as well. French
engineers constructed Armenia's railway, which was tremendous work
at that time. Armenians, in turn, contributed to France's economic
development. The Statue of Jean Althen (Hovhannes Althounian) in
Avignon reminds people of an Armenian agronomist, who developed the
cultivation of madder in France.
Hundreds of thousands of French citizens of Armenian descent contribute
to the development of France and Armenia thereby strengthening
bilateral ties, the Armenian leader said.
He pointed out France's invaluable role in the development of
independent Armenia. Developing trade and economic relations with
France has always been of importance for Armenia. France is Armenia's
major trade partner, and its investments in Armenia's economy are
the second largest. By July 2011, they had totaled U.S. $695m. Also,
155 Armenian-French joint ventures are operating in Armenia.
The Armenian president cited examples of French investments in
Armenia's economy: telecommunication, hard beverage production,
banking, medicine, tourism, agriculture, light industry. Such large
French companies as Credit Agricole Bank, Orange, Pernod Ricar,
Alcatel, Grant Thornton Amyot are represented in Armenia. The legal
basis necessary for developing economic ties has been created as well.
Despite the achievements, the sides still have great potential to
realize. France is not even among the top ten trade and economic
partners of Armenia, which in not in conformity with the bilateral
political level.
Armenia is implementing large-scale projects - the North-South
highway and railway, construction of a new nuclear-power plant -
and expects its French partners' active involvement. Armenia wants
its French partners to be more actively involved in the projects
worth billions of US dollars, given the French companies' wide
experience. The Armenian president expressed his satisfaction with
two French companies' interest in Armenia's transport and energy
sectors. He welcomed the fact and assured the attendees that the
Armenian side will do its best to assist possible projects.
Speaking of the economic reforms in Armenia, the Armenian president
pointed out macroeconomic stability in Armenia, which is confirmed
by international agencies. The country has financial and monetary
stability, and announced an Open Door policy to attract investments.
The basic principles of this policy are the most favored treatment
and protection of all types of property.
The Eastern Partnership project raised the level of Armenia-EU
relations, which opens up ample opportunities for Armenian-French
business cooperation. First, Armenia plans to start negotiations for
the formation of a comprehensive free trade zone, which will enable
the country to get an integrated system of liberal economic relations.
Secondly, Armenia plans to sign an agreement liberalizing visa
requirements, which will facilitate business contacts. Thirdly, with
European financial and technical assistance, Armenia launched deep
tax, customs, judicial reforms, and facilitated business management
procedures.
"I call on all of our French partners to establish active cooperation
with Armenian businessmen. No doubt, business must be top priority.
But you can make a major contribution to our region's harmonious
development and, consequently, to the formation of a peace and
stability zone to neighbor on the European Union. Finally, you will
have your say in the progressive development of Armenian-French
friendship...We want our relations to consistently develop.
"Thank you."
From: Baghdasarian