Pashinyan visits Belarus and meets with high-level officials from Eurasian Economic Union
On June 20, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, arrived in the Republic of Belarus on a working visit, according to the press office of the Armenian government.
On the same day, the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Russia, Nikol Pashinyan and Mikhail Mishustin, met in Minsk.
The head of the Russian government said that Russia is Armenia's leading foreign trade partner and the main investor in the Armenian economy. According to the results of January-April of this year, the mutual trade turnover increased by 30%, exceeding $890 million. “I think there is still room for growth. The volume of Russian capital in the Armenian economy is more than $2 billion. There are opportunities to grow here as well, and it will be important for Russian investors to expand their investments in Armenia,” he added.
"We also pay special attention to the unblocking of transport and economic infrastructure in the South Caucasus, following the agreement of the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The practical work is being carried out within the framework of a trilateral working group co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers. Its regular session took place during the St. Petersburg Economic Forum," Prime Minister of Russia added.
In his part, Nikol Pashinyan underlined that opening regional infrastructure and unblocking the whole region is very important. "I would like to thank Alexey Overchuk and Mher Grigoryan, who are working intensively with the Co-chair of the Republic of Azerbaijan on these issues. I hope that the work done will result in concrete decisions, as opening economic and transport infrastructure in the region is important for all countries in the region. In the current situation, it is of special significance," he flagged.
Moreover, the Prime Minister of Armenia took part in the narrow-format session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Minsk. The Prime Ministers of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) member states discussed issues related to strengthening the internal market, developing transport infrastructure, and regulating customs tariffs. They also mentioned the cooperation in the digital field.
On June 21, Pashinyan took part in the expanded-format session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Minsk. The Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, met the Heads of Government of the EEU member states.
Nikol Pashinyan said that the EEU is gradually completing the stage of accomplishment and is passing to the stage of revealing its integration potential for the benefit of creating a common economic space, sustainable economic growth of our countries, strengthening competitiveness, effective promotion of its economic interests in the international arena.
"Cooperation within the Union is a priority for our countries, which allows to strengthen the traditional cooperation, to establish new partnerships to realize the economic potential of the Union. In this context, for the Union's common market operation, I consider removing barriers to mutual trade, forming new export-import logistics chains, developing import substitution, and improving conditions for doing business important. The experience in recent years shows that most of the obstacles businesses face are due to the lack of unified, coordinated, consented rules of activity. Only the readiness for constructive dialogue, openness and transparency can help maintain positive dynamics in this issue," the Prime Minister of Armenia underlined.
The decision adopted at the meeting instructs the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission to ensure, together with the governments of the EEU member states, the preparation of indicative balances on wheat, barley, corn, sunflower seeds, sugar, and other products.
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