Armenian-Belarusian economic cooperation to be developed

YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian-Belarusian economic ties are expanding with each year and there are great prospects for their further development. This was stated by the chairman of the Armenian-Belarusian intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Affairs from the Armenian side, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Vahram Avanesyan at the briefing held after the 10th session of the Armenian-Belarusian intergovernmental Commission, as reported by Armenpress.

Vahram Avanesyan noted that in the deepening of the economic ties Armenia will continue closely cooperating with the member countries of the European Union and the Eurasian Customs Union.

The chairman of the Armenian-Belarusian intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Affairs from the Belarusian side, the Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus Mikhail Amelianovich stated that the Armenian-Belarusian cooperation is of a dynamic and constructive character, expressing his confidence that the collaboration has all the potential to be deepened. “There are all the opportunities for the expansion of the Armenian-Belarusian cooperation and I am sure that we can achieve that with joint efforts”.

The 10th session of the Armenian-Belarusian intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Affairs was launched in Yerevan on August 27. The Commission’s Chairmen were the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Vahram Avanesyan and the Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus Mikhail Amelianovich. On August 26 the sides discussed the clauses of the session protocol’s project. During the session the interlocutors will discuss a wide range of issues related to the development and deepening of the Armenian-Belarusian relations in different fields.

By March 2013 investments of $197,000 were made in the real sector of the economy of the Republic of Armenia by the Republic of Belarus.

In the first six months of 2013 Armenia exported to Belarus ethyl alcohol, diamonds, jewelry, medicines, precious metals, flowers, apricots, peaches, cherries, plums, mineral waters, etc. In the same period Belarus exported to Armenia pneumatic power rubber tires, oil, tractors, medicines, milk and cream, milk powder, thrown cord, non-coated paper and other goods.

The Armenian-Belarusian intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Affairs was established in accordance with the Agreement on free trade between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Belarus, signed on 18th January, 2000.

The first meeting of the Joint Commission was held on 18-20 January, 2000 in Minsk. Currently, the 9 sessions were held. The last meeting took place on 5 November, 2012 in Yerevan, which focused on the expansion of bilateral cooperation in a wide range of issues related to mainly the increase in volume of trade between Belarus and Armenia, economic cooperation development, expand of bilateral cooperation in the spheres of health, agriculture, science and education, culture, information technology, jewelry, regional ties and in mutually interesting other spheres. As a result of the Armenian-Belarusian intergovernmental Joint Commission ninth meeting, the Protocol was signed.