The Armenian delegation headed of Economy Minister Vahram Avanesyan left to Lithuania on 27 November to take part in the two-day business-forum of the EU Eastern Partnership programme. Within the framework of his visit, Vahram Avanesyan on Wednesday met with Lithuania's Economy Minister Evaldas Gustas. As press-service of the Economy Ministry reported, Deputy Economy Minister, Garegin Melkonyan and Armenia's Ambassador to Lithuania, Ara Ayvazyan, also took part in the meeting.
The interlocutors discussed bilateral economic relations. They also said that there is a potential for increasing the volume of investments and trade and that it is indispensable to deepen relations in these directions. The parties underscored the idea of setting up the Armenia-Lithuania Intergovernmental Commission, and they decided to start the necessary procedures.
They also touched on the economic component of the Armenia-EU relations and said that the relations have been developing dynamically and significant reforms were made in this domain. In this context, they welcomed Lithuania's participation in the Twinning programmes.
Within the frames of Armenia-EU relations, the parties also discussed Armenia's decision to join the Eurasian Customs Union. They stressed that, in the new situation, the parties still shall seek to develop relations and ensure the continuity of the ongoing reforms.
According to the data of Armenian National Statistics Service, the commodity circulation between Armenia and the EU amounted to $1.2 billion for Jan-Sept 2013, by 3,1% more versus Jan-Sept 2012. In particular, export - $371.3 million - by 0,4% less, import - $831.9 million - by 4,8% more. The share of the EU in the total foreign trade circulation of Armenia was 28,9% for Jan-Sept 2013.