Saturday, October 13 2018 18:10

ArmInfo. Armenian-Canadian negotiations in an expanded format between the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Canada Nikol Pashinyan and Justin Trudeau continued in  the Armenian government.

As the government  press service told ArmInfo, Trudeau was convinced  that during the conversations it would be possible to simplify  contacts between people so that air communication could be  simplified, favorable conditions were created for investments so that  it became possible to support entrepreneurs and develop economies.   The interlocutor discussed a wide range of issues on the cooperation  development agenda.  In the context of intensifying ties in the  political, economic, business, cultural, humanitarian and other  sectors, the Prime Ministers of the two countries first of all  stressed the importance of facilitating the air traffic between  Armenia and Canada and taking concrete steps in this direction. In  connection, the parties agreed to instruct the responsible  authorities to begin negotiations on this issue and submit a package  of concrete proposals.  Pashinyan spoke about the steps and ongoing  reforms aimed at developing the Armenian economy, changing the  economic structure, eliminating corruption. He stressed that Armenia  is interested in attracting foreign investments and it is ready to  assist every entrepreneur, subject to two important conditions -  compliance with the laws of the country and paying taxes.

Regarding the issues of enhancing economic relations, the Prime  Minister of Armenia, among other areas, called promising cooperation  in such areas as water management, construction of reservoirs,  improving infrastructure and managing natural resources. Pashinyan  noted that Armenia is also interested in borrowing Canadian  experience in the field of licensing, management and supervision of  mining operations.

In turn, the Prime Minister of Canada welcomed the reforms carried  out by the Armenian government and expressed readiness to work with  the Armenian side in the above directions for the implementation of  specific projects of mutual interest and the further development of  Armenian-Canadian relations.  During the meeting, the interlocutors  discussed the development of democracy, good governance, civil  society, women's participation in social and political processes, and  exchanged information on the current situation in Armenia and Canada.  In particular, the Prime Minister of Canada raised the issue of equal  opportunities for women and men, noting that women can play a serious  role in promoting democratic processes, improving economic progress  and management efficiency.

Pashinyan agreed with Trudeau, noting that women played and play an  important role in the success of the velvet revolution in Armenia,  and the Armenian government is interested in facilitating their  participation in the public and political life of the country, the  management system and business.

The sides also exchanged views on the settlement of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and topical issues on the international  agenda.

The Armenian Prime Minister spoke about the essence of the Karabakh  conflict, stressing that this is not a territorial dispute, as  Azerbaijan represents, and we are talking about the right of the  people of Artsakh to live, and Armenia considers it important that  international partners know about the negotiation process and the  situation around it.  According to Pashinyan, Armenia stands for an  exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict through negotiations,  within the framework of the internationally recognized format of the  OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship.  The Canadian Prime Minister  stressed the importance of continuing the dialogue and resolving the  conflict within the framework of the existing format.

The interlocutors touched upon the issues of overcoming humanitarian  crises, in particular the problems of Syrian refugees. Pashinyan  noted that in Armenia he warmly recalls the reception provided by  Canada to Syrian refugees, including Syrian Armenians.

Trudeau, in turn, called the exemplary example of Armenia in  accepting refugees.  Pashinyan also thanked the Prime Minister of  Canada for the steadfast and active position of Canada in recognizing  and condemning the Armenian Genocide.