Monday, December 2 2013

Interregional cooperation holds a specific place on the large bilateral Armenian-Russian agenda, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at the opening of the Third Armenian-Russian Interregional Forum.     

According to the press service of the Armenian President, Serzh Sargsyan said that the economic potential, territory and population of each of the Russian regions are comparable to the economies of certain states. In this context, he stressed the importance of mutual visits of the two states' governors to find efficient mechanisms for economic partnership development.       

"As for us, we will continue creating all the necessary conditions at the interstate level to enhance the efficiency of interregional cooperation; to exert join efforts aimed at implementing infrastructure projects, including restoration of direct railway service between Armenia and Russia, to remove bureaucratic hurdles and restrictive measures; to provide large-scale information support", he stressed.

Sargsyan also pointed out the need to enhance the attention to the mass media. He suggested supporting the Armenian-Russian media forum at the state level and ensuring regular trips of Russian media representatives to Armenia and Armenian journalists to Russia. Sargsyan also stressed the need to expand the geography of Russian entities directly cooperating with Armenia's regions. For the moment, there are about 70 such entities.     

He suggested that the relevant structures of the two countries should be instructed to elaborate projects of joint education and training of managers at the Armenian Academy and the Russian Academy of National Economy. Sargsyan stressed that interregional cooperation is not restricted to economy. It covers a variety of fields and involves youth and public organizations, educational and scientific centers. The Armenian President said that the Armenian and Russian communities play an important role in development of the two countries' relations, but much is still to be done.