Serzh Sargsyan: lack of trade turnover with Slovenia is omission of Armenian authorities

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said that intensification of economic relations between Armenia and Slovenia will create prerequisites for the bilateral relations development also in other fields. “We discussed economic cooperation and international relations. The intensification of economic ties is an important chain, which will approximate our people and serve as an impetus for the relations development also in other fields,” Mr. Sargsyan told a joint press conference with his Slovenian counterpart Danilo Turk on October 11 in Yerevan, summarizing the results of the Armenian-Slovenian business forum.

The business forum brought together around 40 Slovenian companies from various fields, including, trade, tourism, construction, power industry, high and information technologies.

The Armenian President noted that the lack of trade turnover between the two countries is an omission of the authorities.

In 2009, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $9.5mln, with almost zero export from Armenia. Slovenia exported pharmaceutical goods, ethyl alcohol, perfume, cosmetics, etc.

Mr. Sargsyan said that Armenia welcomes Slovenian investments. He noted that four documents, which create a legislative basis for boosting the bilateral cooperation, were signed as part of the Slovenian President’s official visit to Armenia. The Convention for Avoidance of Double Taxation and agreement on economic cooperation are among them. “We will work on expanding the legislative field,” the Armenian President said.

Referring to international cooperation, Mr. Sargsyan noted that it has changed qualitatively and become more arranged. Specifically, Armenia already negotiates on signing of the association agreement, as well as works are carried out on the project for joining the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement.

Serzh Sargsyan said that Slovenia, which has passed this way, can share its experience with Armenia.