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ARMENIA'S DECISION IN FAVOR OF EURASIAN UNION NEVER DEPRECIATES ITS WILLINGNESS TO EXPAND RELATIONS WITH EU - SERZH SARGSYAN
20:12 * 12.06.14
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and President Heinz Fischer of the
Republic of Austria today took part in the opening ceremony of an
Armenian-Austrian economic forum at the Austrian Federal Economic
Chamber. Prior to it, President Serzh Sargsyan had held a meeting
with the President of the Chamber Christoph Leitl, the presidential
press office reports.
The interlocutors placed great importance on taking further steps
to enlarge the Armenian-Austrian trade and economic collaboration
and assured that the Armenian-Austrian economic forum taking place
within the framework of the Armenian President's visit will play a
vital role in stimulating contacts between the businessmen of the
two countries and promoting bilateral cooperation.
President Serzh Sargsyan and the President of the Austrian Federal
Economic Chamber Christoph Leitl stated with satisfaction that the
indicators of the bilateral trade circulation continue to gradually
improve. However, according to them, there is still a great need to
foster the trade and economic cooperation.
The Presidents of Armenia and Austria welcomed the Armenian-Austrian
economic forum and in their welcome speeches wished the forum
activities to be successful for the benefit of promoting economic
collaboration between the two countries.
Below is President Serzh Sargsyan's speech at the Armenian-Austrian
economic forum
Distinguished Mr. President Fischer,
Distinguished Mr. Leitl,
Honorable businessmen,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted that my visit to friendly Austria has been marked
by the organization of an Armenian-Austrian business forum. This
event is launched under the patronage of me and President Fischer of
Austria since we put special emphasis on strengthening the business
ties between our countries and promoting economic cooperation. I am
very happy that President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Mr.
Leitl is also present here.
Such representative forums are not only a good way of stimulating
trade and economic relations, but also are an important platform for
mutual dialogue and mutual recognition. It is very crucial that the
participating Armenian and Austrian businessmen representing multiple
business spheres get to know each other well.
I welcome the fact that the trade and economic cooperation between
our countries is reinvigorating. As Mr. President mentioned,
until 2008 our volumes and indicators had been much better than
today, but fortunately, two years ago we again started to sustain
growth. The present growth rates give us a hope that we will exceed
those indicators in the foreseeable future despite my conviction that
it does not reflect our entire cooperation potential. I am confident
that there are numerous goods and services both in Austria and Armenia
which can have a high demand in the Austrian and Armenian markets. I
do not have even the tiniest doubt about it. The level of our bilateral
trade is low, and the types of circulated goods are limited.
Thus, I would like to urge both the participants of this forum and our
relevant state bodies to be proactive in giving birth to new economic
projects. In this regard, the Armenian-Austrian inter-governmental
commission the 6th session of which was held in Yerevan this April
has an important mission to carry out.
Over 30 Armenian companies are participating in this business forum
representing the spheres of electronics, information technologies,
pharmaceutics, agriculture and food recycling, tourism and financial
services. Of course, the presence of the latter ones is not an
accident: Armenia has managed to maximize its cooperation potential
in the mentioned spheres.
Armenia which, according to archeologists, has millennium-old
traditions of wine-making, and its jewelry making and carpet making
have become a national business card, today also holds a special
place on the international map of information technologies.
I think it is no coincidence that the Austrian government has included
Armenia in its country cooperation priority list. This speaks for
our mutual commitment to advance the collaboration. I am glad that
we already have positive cooperation experience between Austrian
Raiffeisen Bank and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Armenia,
as well as between the Development Bank of Austria and Ameriabank. In
addition, owing to the cooperation between the Armenian company Aske
and the Austrian company Siemens VAI Metals Technologies, at present a
large scale metallurgical production has been initiated in Armenia. By
the way, the cooperation agreement was concluded two years ago during
Mr. Fischer's official visit to the Republic of Armenia when we again
held a business forum in Yerevan.
The regular Yerevan-Vienna flights implemented by Austrian Airlines,
the elimination of entrance visa regime with the European Union
beginning from January 2013 and the facilitation of the EU visa
application procedure for Armenian citizens since January 1 this year,
as well as the document on cooperation in tourism signed during this
visit give new momentum to expanding business contacts and promoting
tourism. We can assure that there is a relevant legal and contractual
field underlying the economic cooperation between Armenia and Austria
which guarantees establishment of safe business ties.
Honorable colleagues,
Since its independence, Armenia has chosen the economic liberalism as a
development model, which implies effective functioning of institutions,
high level of public services and most importantly a transparent and
free business environment. For that purpose, extensive reforms have
been implemented and are implemented in Armenia with the assistance of
our European colleagues as well, especially in the spheres of taxation,
establishment and registration of enterprises and investor protection.
I would like to put special emphasis on one essential circumstance:
in the present interconnected and rapidly changing world trust is
among the most serious guarantees of economic cooperation. In order
to get to know each other better, we should strengthen humanitarian
ties which will lay down a firm foundation for enlarging our business
contacts as well. I would be glad to offer the relevant state bodies
to engage in organizing Austrian cultural events in Armenia and the
reverse, implementing specialist and student exchange programs and
intensifying scientific connections. This is very crucial.
Honorable ladies and gentlemen,
You know that Armenia has chosen the path of joining the Eurasian
Economic Union. It is in no way reduces our intention to advance our
relations with the European Union.
By granting a status of the Generalized System of Preferences Plus to
Armenia, the European Commission gives a serious impulse to Armenian
manufacturers. Concurrently, Armenia's integration into the Eurasian
Economic Union opens up new prospects for European investors by
simplifying their penetration into the Eurasian market having 170
million consumers. Armenia is a leading CIS country in terms of
its economic freedom and application of market regulations. It is
proved by numerous ratings published by authoritative international
organizations. Our country holds the 41th place in the 2014 Index
of Economic Freedom, and in the "Doing Business 2014" annual report
Armenia is ranked 37th among 185 countries and is placed immediately
between France and Belgium.
I would be happy to invite Austrian companies to do business in
Armenia. Our country can become a useful platform for the well-known
Austrian food recycling companies Spitz and Darbo by offering healthy
and tasty agricultural raw materials, for the world-famous jewelry
company Frey Wille by offering qualified goldsmiths and granting
special privileges in free jewelry economic zone (by the way, there are
more than thousand famous jewelry companies in the world with Armenian
capital or owned by Armenians operating in all parts of the world,
almost in all countries and cities), for the mineral raw materials
recycling company Asamer Basaltic Fibers by offering a wide range
of natural stones, for the pharmaceutical companies G.L. Pharma and
Genericon Pharma who can take full advantage of free economic zones.
Be sure that your steps targeted at advancing the Armenian-Austrian
trade and economic relations are in the focus of our attention. We
understand that in developing economies long-term successes depend
on stimulating business activities, that is why in case of large
investments, especially in innovative technologies, we are ready to
enforce a special law on a given investment and give tax exemptions
and by this I refer to the corporate tax as well.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Concluding my speech, I wish you established long-term partnership ties
as a result of this forum taking place at the wonderful building of
the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber for the benefit of the friendly
Armenian and Austrian people.
Thank you.
I am grateful, Mr. President, for your participation and for finding
time for and showing interest in promoting business activities
between our two countries and of course, I am thankful to Mr. Leitl
for holding this event.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/06/12/sargsian/
From: A. Papazian
20:12 * 12.06.14
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and President Heinz Fischer of the
Republic of Austria today took part in the opening ceremony of an
Armenian-Austrian economic forum at the Austrian Federal Economic
Chamber. Prior to it, President Serzh Sargsyan had held a meeting
with the President of the Chamber Christoph Leitl, the presidential
press office reports.
The interlocutors placed great importance on taking further steps
to enlarge the Armenian-Austrian trade and economic collaboration
and assured that the Armenian-Austrian economic forum taking place
within the framework of the Armenian President's visit will play a
vital role in stimulating contacts between the businessmen of the
two countries and promoting bilateral cooperation.
President Serzh Sargsyan and the President of the Austrian Federal
Economic Chamber Christoph Leitl stated with satisfaction that the
indicators of the bilateral trade circulation continue to gradually
improve. However, according to them, there is still a great need to
foster the trade and economic cooperation.
The Presidents of Armenia and Austria welcomed the Armenian-Austrian
economic forum and in their welcome speeches wished the forum
activities to be successful for the benefit of promoting economic
collaboration between the two countries.
Below is President Serzh Sargsyan's speech at the Armenian-Austrian
economic forum
Distinguished Mr. President Fischer,
Distinguished Mr. Leitl,
Honorable businessmen,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted that my visit to friendly Austria has been marked
by the organization of an Armenian-Austrian business forum. This
event is launched under the patronage of me and President Fischer of
Austria since we put special emphasis on strengthening the business
ties between our countries and promoting economic cooperation. I am
very happy that President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Mr.
Leitl is also present here.
Such representative forums are not only a good way of stimulating
trade and economic relations, but also are an important platform for
mutual dialogue and mutual recognition. It is very crucial that the
participating Armenian and Austrian businessmen representing multiple
business spheres get to know each other well.
I welcome the fact that the trade and economic cooperation between
our countries is reinvigorating. As Mr. President mentioned,
until 2008 our volumes and indicators had been much better than
today, but fortunately, two years ago we again started to sustain
growth. The present growth rates give us a hope that we will exceed
those indicators in the foreseeable future despite my conviction that
it does not reflect our entire cooperation potential. I am confident
that there are numerous goods and services both in Austria and Armenia
which can have a high demand in the Austrian and Armenian markets. I
do not have even the tiniest doubt about it. The level of our bilateral
trade is low, and the types of circulated goods are limited.
Thus, I would like to urge both the participants of this forum and our
relevant state bodies to be proactive in giving birth to new economic
projects. In this regard, the Armenian-Austrian inter-governmental
commission the 6th session of which was held in Yerevan this April
has an important mission to carry out.
Over 30 Armenian companies are participating in this business forum
representing the spheres of electronics, information technologies,
pharmaceutics, agriculture and food recycling, tourism and financial
services. Of course, the presence of the latter ones is not an
accident: Armenia has managed to maximize its cooperation potential
in the mentioned spheres.
Armenia which, according to archeologists, has millennium-old
traditions of wine-making, and its jewelry making and carpet making
have become a national business card, today also holds a special
place on the international map of information technologies.
I think it is no coincidence that the Austrian government has included
Armenia in its country cooperation priority list. This speaks for
our mutual commitment to advance the collaboration. I am glad that
we already have positive cooperation experience between Austrian
Raiffeisen Bank and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Armenia,
as well as between the Development Bank of Austria and Ameriabank. In
addition, owing to the cooperation between the Armenian company Aske
and the Austrian company Siemens VAI Metals Technologies, at present a
large scale metallurgical production has been initiated in Armenia. By
the way, the cooperation agreement was concluded two years ago during
Mr. Fischer's official visit to the Republic of Armenia when we again
held a business forum in Yerevan.
The regular Yerevan-Vienna flights implemented by Austrian Airlines,
the elimination of entrance visa regime with the European Union
beginning from January 2013 and the facilitation of the EU visa
application procedure for Armenian citizens since January 1 this year,
as well as the document on cooperation in tourism signed during this
visit give new momentum to expanding business contacts and promoting
tourism. We can assure that there is a relevant legal and contractual
field underlying the economic cooperation between Armenia and Austria
which guarantees establishment of safe business ties.
Honorable colleagues,
Since its independence, Armenia has chosen the economic liberalism as a
development model, which implies effective functioning of institutions,
high level of public services and most importantly a transparent and
free business environment. For that purpose, extensive reforms have
been implemented and are implemented in Armenia with the assistance of
our European colleagues as well, especially in the spheres of taxation,
establishment and registration of enterprises and investor protection.
I would like to put special emphasis on one essential circumstance:
in the present interconnected and rapidly changing world trust is
among the most serious guarantees of economic cooperation. In order
to get to know each other better, we should strengthen humanitarian
ties which will lay down a firm foundation for enlarging our business
contacts as well. I would be glad to offer the relevant state bodies
to engage in organizing Austrian cultural events in Armenia and the
reverse, implementing specialist and student exchange programs and
intensifying scientific connections. This is very crucial.
Honorable ladies and gentlemen,
You know that Armenia has chosen the path of joining the Eurasian
Economic Union. It is in no way reduces our intention to advance our
relations with the European Union.
By granting a status of the Generalized System of Preferences Plus to
Armenia, the European Commission gives a serious impulse to Armenian
manufacturers. Concurrently, Armenia's integration into the Eurasian
Economic Union opens up new prospects for European investors by
simplifying their penetration into the Eurasian market having 170
million consumers. Armenia is a leading CIS country in terms of
its economic freedom and application of market regulations. It is
proved by numerous ratings published by authoritative international
organizations. Our country holds the 41th place in the 2014 Index
of Economic Freedom, and in the "Doing Business 2014" annual report
Armenia is ranked 37th among 185 countries and is placed immediately
between France and Belgium.
I would be happy to invite Austrian companies to do business in
Armenia. Our country can become a useful platform for the well-known
Austrian food recycling companies Spitz and Darbo by offering healthy
and tasty agricultural raw materials, for the world-famous jewelry
company Frey Wille by offering qualified goldsmiths and granting
special privileges in free jewelry economic zone (by the way, there are
more than thousand famous jewelry companies in the world with Armenian
capital or owned by Armenians operating in all parts of the world,
almost in all countries and cities), for the mineral raw materials
recycling company Asamer Basaltic Fibers by offering a wide range
of natural stones, for the pharmaceutical companies G.L. Pharma and
Genericon Pharma who can take full advantage of free economic zones.
Be sure that your steps targeted at advancing the Armenian-Austrian
trade and economic relations are in the focus of our attention. We
understand that in developing economies long-term successes depend
on stimulating business activities, that is why in case of large
investments, especially in innovative technologies, we are ready to
enforce a special law on a given investment and give tax exemptions
and by this I refer to the corporate tax as well.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Concluding my speech, I wish you established long-term partnership ties
as a result of this forum taking place at the wonderful building of
the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber for the benefit of the friendly
Armenian and Austrian people.
Thank you.
I am grateful, Mr. President, for your participation and for finding
time for and showing interest in promoting business activities
between our two countries and of course, I am thankful to Mr. Leitl
for holding this event.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/06/12/sargsian/
From: A. Papazian