MINISTER FOR EUROPE VISITS YEREVAN
European Union News
September 24, 2012 Monday
The Foreign and Commonwealth office, UK Government has issued the
following press release: Minister for Europe David Lidington met the
President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Nalbandian.
"The UK highly values its relationship with Armenia as we mark twenty
years of our relations" During the meeting with the President both
sides stressed importance of Armenian-UK bilateral relations. Serzh
Sargsyan expressed his hope that the visit of Mr. Lidington would
become an impetus for the strengthening of the relations and deepening
of cooperation between two countries. He highlighted the importance
of cooperation between Armenia and Great Britain in the framework of
relations with the European Union. Mr. Lidington mentioned that the
UK is deeply grateful for the contribution that Armenia continues to
make to the peace-keeping forces in Afghanistan and was impressed by
the progress Armenia had made in developing closer ties with the EU
and NATO.
Receiving David Lidington in Armenian Government building the
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stressed that the level of the
Armenian-British economic cooperation is increasing and in this
context. He also briefed the Minister on the reforms taking place in
Armenia, directed at the development of small and medium businesses,
reduction of tax and customs administration and creation of free
economic zones. The Foreign Office Minister said that he is very
pleased to see a whole range of British brands in Yerevan and
stressed the importance of strengthening commercial ties between UK
and Armenia. At the Ministry of Foreign affairs Armenian Minister
Edward Nalbandian and Mr. Lidington discussed ways of further deepen
cooperation in political, scientific, educational, cultural and other
spheres. Minister Nalbandian said, "This year we celebrate the 20th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Armenia and the United Kingdom and we can state that the cooperation
between the sides is on a sustainable basis." In response the Minister
said "United Kingdom considers Armenia as a long-term and valuable
partner and his visit is aimed at the provision of a new impetus to
the cooperation with Armenia". Mr Nalbandyan presented the current
stage of the negotiations over the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue. He touched upon the damage to regional stability and security
caused by the release of Ramil Safarov. The Minister for Europe
responded that the United Kingdom fully supports the OSCE Minsk Group
processes. He mentioned that the UK shares the provisions in the
statements of the European Union, Council of Europe and OSCE Minsk
Group over the release of Ramil Safarov. During his two day visit
he met with leading businessmen to better understand the economic
opportunities presented by Armenia for both trade and investment. He
also discussed increasing awareness of the human rights situation in
Armenia and exchanged views on regional and international issues with
well-known Armenian analysts. During the reception organised by the
Armenian British Business Chamber the Minister stressed that he wants
to look at how to build further economic and commercial relations
between the UK and Armenia and that now the British Government is
working on bringing out a business mission to Yerevan in November.
European Union News
September 24, 2012 Monday
The Foreign and Commonwealth office, UK Government has issued the
following press release: Minister for Europe David Lidington met the
President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Nalbandian.
"The UK highly values its relationship with Armenia as we mark twenty
years of our relations" During the meeting with the President both
sides stressed importance of Armenian-UK bilateral relations. Serzh
Sargsyan expressed his hope that the visit of Mr. Lidington would
become an impetus for the strengthening of the relations and deepening
of cooperation between two countries. He highlighted the importance
of cooperation between Armenia and Great Britain in the framework of
relations with the European Union. Mr. Lidington mentioned that the
UK is deeply grateful for the contribution that Armenia continues to
make to the peace-keeping forces in Afghanistan and was impressed by
the progress Armenia had made in developing closer ties with the EU
and NATO.
Receiving David Lidington in Armenian Government building the
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stressed that the level of the
Armenian-British economic cooperation is increasing and in this
context. He also briefed the Minister on the reforms taking place in
Armenia, directed at the development of small and medium businesses,
reduction of tax and customs administration and creation of free
economic zones. The Foreign Office Minister said that he is very
pleased to see a whole range of British brands in Yerevan and
stressed the importance of strengthening commercial ties between UK
and Armenia. At the Ministry of Foreign affairs Armenian Minister
Edward Nalbandian and Mr. Lidington discussed ways of further deepen
cooperation in political, scientific, educational, cultural and other
spheres. Minister Nalbandian said, "This year we celebrate the 20th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Armenia and the United Kingdom and we can state that the cooperation
between the sides is on a sustainable basis." In response the Minister
said "United Kingdom considers Armenia as a long-term and valuable
partner and his visit is aimed at the provision of a new impetus to
the cooperation with Armenia". Mr Nalbandyan presented the current
stage of the negotiations over the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue. He touched upon the damage to regional stability and security
caused by the release of Ramil Safarov. The Minister for Europe
responded that the United Kingdom fully supports the OSCE Minsk Group
processes. He mentioned that the UK shares the provisions in the
statements of the European Union, Council of Europe and OSCE Minsk
Group over the release of Ramil Safarov. During his two day visit
he met with leading businessmen to better understand the economic
opportunities presented by Armenia for both trade and investment. He
also discussed increasing awareness of the human rights situation in
Armenia and exchanged views on regional and international issues with
well-known Armenian analysts. During the reception organised by the
Armenian British Business Chamber the Minister stressed that he wants
to look at how to build further economic and commercial relations
between the UK and Armenia and that now the British Government is
working on bringing out a business mission to Yerevan in November.