YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan visited the Armenian Embassy in Moscow during an official visit to the Russian Federation. The PM had a meeting with representatives of the Armenian community, the Government’s Press Service told ARMENPRESS.

In addition to the delegation of the PM, the meeting was attended by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhijevan and Russia, Armenian entrepreneurs of Russia and political, public and cultural figures of Armenian descent.

In his speech the PM first of all summed up the results of his meeting with Russia’s PM Dmitry Medvedev, presented details of the discussions and agreements which were achieved.

Karapetyan briefed the attendees of the meeting on the first 100 days of the Government’s activities.

“I would like to inform you on the activities of the Government during the past 4 months. You have been provided with an executive summary, where the accomplished work of the Government is summarized in 100 pages. I think we have presented a rather serious document. It consists of 4 parts. The first part includes the diagnosis of problems according to fields, the second part includes information in terms of existing problems and what solutions are proposed in that field and what actions must be taken. The third part sums up our activities of the past 100 days, and the fourth part includes the cooperation between the state and the private sector through the Center of Strategic Initiatives”, Karapetyan said.

Speaking on the vision of the country’s development, the PM mentioned the main 4 components: independent, safe, just and intellectual.  “We don’t have another option – we have to carry out smart administration in all fields. The human capital is the paramount value of our country. I’ve talked about this several times in different platforms.  Countries rich in oil, gas or other natural resources don’t appear among happy countries, rather the countries where maximally favorable conditions are created for diligent and creative people do”, the PM said, adding the Government will create maximally just and transparent conditions for working, diligent, and creative people.

Speaking on the Armenia-Diaspora relations, Karapetyan said the Diaspora is an advantage for the country, and one can speak very long about the importance of those relations. “We have to realize that these are two parts of a whole. I personally see the huge potential of the involvement of the Armenian Diaspora in building our country. First of all I wouldn’t like the Armenia-Diaspora relations to be solely built on the mindset that Armenia is only interested in the investments and charity missions of the Diaspora. We need to involve the administration and communication culture”, the PM said.

As an example, the PM mentioned the service field has undergone significant qualitative changes with the arrival of Syrian-Armenians to Armenia, especially in the restaurant business. “I think we need to send signals on the existing rules of the game, on the favorable conditions of the business environment, in that case each and every Armenian will find his place and his vocation. I am convinced that we will succeed”, the PM said.

In response to a question from an attendee in terms of what is being done for the restoration and development of Gyumri city, which was damaged by the earthquake, the PM said in addition to regional development programs, currently the Government is focused on boosting business projects which are presented by business communities of provinces, in the format of state-private sector co-financing.

“With the results of the trip to Shirak Province, we approved 7 in 8 business projects”, Karapetyan said, adding serious discussions are underway to transform Gyumri into a tourism destination.

“Does the government have a commitment towards Gyumri? Of course it has. The Kumayri program plans the reconstruction of two old highways, which not only will become a tourism area, but will also change the mood and atmosphere for the city”, Karapetyan said.

In his concluding remarks, the PM said such meetings are a good platform for exchanging opinions and ideas.

“I was one of you not long ago. I very well know that you are all living in thoughts, looking back and with interest in terms of what’s happening in Armenia. Be sure, the best country for Armenians will be Armenia. I know the feeling of dignity and pride for you all depends on Armenia. I promise you, our team will do everything possible”, Karapetyan said.