Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has high expectations for the Armenian-Latvian Forum which kicked of Yerevan on December 11.

"The numerical strength of the Latvian delegation proves that Latvia is interested in development of political and economic relations with Armenia," President Sargsyan said.

"Bilateral trade may be intensified by signature of a couple of long-term agreements," he said, adding that Armenia also expects investment cooperation and creates favorable conditions for entrepreneurship.

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Corruption is one of the most dangerous diseases affecting humanity, Armenian Prime Minister said.

"The deeper corruption penetrates the sicker the society becomes," Tigran Sargsyan said opening the 6th conference dated to International Anti-Corruption Day marked on December 9.

Each government should seek ways to combat corruption, according to him.

"Countries which fail to combat corruption will miss the opportunity of competition," the PM said.

The event was organized by the USAID, OSCE Yerevan Office and the Office of Prosecutor General. It brought together some 100 people, including U.S. Ambassador to RA Marie Yovanovitch, Prosecutor General and other high-ranking officials.

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Armenian-Russian business forum kicked off in Yerevan on December 8.

"I wanted to bring our cooperation to a new level - scientific, technical and actively cooperate in the field of innovation," Natalya Lukicheva deputy head of St. Petersburg administration committee on external affairs.

She informed, that St. Petersburg adopted a program to support small and medium-sized businesses, the city will be creating free economic zones in Russia. "Now the policy of establishing technoparks and clusters is forming, when smaller companies are grouped around one major business," she added.

Natalya Lukicheva also told about interest on the part of a newly forming technopark to find partners in Armenia among the Association of Armenian women involved in garment industry.

Large industrial parks will also be created in medical equipment, pharmaceutical, information technology industries, which have broad potential for cooperation.

Natalya Lukicheva invited representatives of Armenia to participate in the innovation week in Saint Petersburg next year and promised favorable conditions for the exhibition displays. The Russian delegation is represented by Union of Garment Workers, Pharmacists, scientific and technical workers, etc.

"This forum is another opportunity to intensify economic relations between the two countries, boost bilateral trade and find new partners," said Arsen Ghazaryan, Chairman of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Industrials of Armenia. "Taking place at the end of the year, the forum will help outline plans for 2010."

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Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash and his delegation, press service of the government reported. Welcoming the guest, the Armeian prime minister attached importance to strengthening and deepening the comprehensive Arab-Armenian relations.

In turn, Anwar Mohammed Gargash expressed his condolences in connection with the 21st anniversary of the devastating Spitak earthquake of December 7, 1988. He also noted that in the context of bilateral trade and economic relations an intergovernmental commission should be established to contribute to implementation of agreements.

The officials discussed the possible investment programs in such areas as agriculture, chemical industry, energy, etc

At the request of the guest the Prime Minister of Armenia presented the recent developments of Armenian-Turkish dialogue.

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Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan participated in the ceremony of accomplishment of gas supply program in 21 settlements in Shirak region of Armenia.

According to RA Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan, 59 settlements, constituting half of Armenia's Shirak region, will be supplied with gas by yearend. "Both dwelling and social facilities heating problems will be resolved," he said.

The program envisages gas supply works in 199 communities, with gas consumers number comprising 21 000. AMD 2.1 billion will be allocated for construction works.

1056 families which remained homeless after 1988 earthquake will be housed till yearend.

520 houses will be put into commission in some villages of Shirak region, RA Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan told reporters on Monday. He also informed that 1980 more apartments will be put into commission in 2010.

Glendale Hills Company conducts building works in Gyumri in the framework of governmental program on disaster area reconstruction.

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Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan attended Monday the construction area Akhuryan sugar mill which will be supposedly put into operation in May 2010.

Functioning in full capacity, the mill will produce some 220 thousand tons of sugar, with internal market demand of 90 thousand tons. The sugar will be exported to Georgia, Russia and India.

The mill will employ 1000 people.