President conducted consultations on the Armenian-Austrian agenda items and prospective programs

Last week, the President of Armenia gave a start to a series of meetings with the Armenian Ambassadors and Heads of mission. Today, Serzh Sargsyan received the report of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Austria Arman Kirakossian. Present at the discussions were the Co-Chair of the Armenian-Austrian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economy, Science and Technology, Minister of Finance of Armenia Gagik Khatchatrian, Chairman of the Armenia-Austria Friendship Group at the RA National Assembly Vahram Bagdassarian, Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot Hovakimian, responsible officials from the Presidential Administration.

During the consultations discussed were in detail issues pertinent to the Armenian-Austrian current agenda, ongoing works and forthcoming programs. Considering the fact that Ambassador Kirakossian is also accredited to a number of international organizations which are functioning in Vienna, discussed were also the prospects of our country’s cooperation with these structures. Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of the achievements in bilateral and multilateral formats and reflected on the existing problems and issues for the solution of which the RA diplomatic representation in Vienna needs direct assistance from Yerevan. “Mr. Kirakossian, today I expect a detailed discussion on the Armenian-Austrian relations, and it is quite natural that since you are the Head of our mission to the OSCE, to the UN offices in Vienna, and you represent the Republic of Armenia in a number of the UN agencies functionin in Vienna, including IAEA, I would also like to speak about these issues.

Austria is a friendly state, a developed state, and we build our relations with Austria also considering the history of our relations. We build our relations on a strong historical foundation, and it is no accident that in 1988 Austria was among the first countries which responded to the catastrophe which befell us. In Shirak, there were built the Austrian district, Austrian Hospital for Children, and today Austria is helping Syrian Armenian who relocated to Armenia. All this is not accidental because many-many names intertwine in the history of friendship between our two countries. Austria is very important for us with her development experience, because the country has registered impressive success in modern technologies, and generally in almost every area. We are interested in the Austrian experience in medical science, tourism and especially in the areas of infrastructure and development of seasonal tourism. Of course, it is very important for me that we are cooperating with Austria in the area of agriculture, including in the area of organic agriculture. We have to develop these areas in our country. Works conducted so far are noticeable but not sufficient. I believe we have great opportunities to receive in Armenia Austrian investments especially in the in industry, because there are multiple powerful companies which have made investments in many countries of the world, and Armenia, though small in size, nevertheless has become a member of the Eurasian Economic Union which in turn brings numerous opportunities. We are ready to create very favorable conditions for any serious investor, even to adopt a special law at the National Assembly on a particular investment. I would like to learn what the Embassy has been doing to present to the Austrian business circles opportunities existing in Armenia. I know that the 7th session of the Intergovernmental Commission will be held in April and will be followed by a Business Forum. Are we making serious steps to get ready for these events which can really give a huge impulse to the development of our country, particularly investment-wise? It is very good that we are cooperating vigorously and efficiently in the areas of science, education, and culture. I am also very glad that it was through the cooperation with the Austrians that we have been able to totally renew and re-equip our major cultural centers – State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, Great Philharmonic Hall, and now very active works are being conducted for the renovation of our Grand Theater. Certainly, it would be great if cooperation in this area continues, however I want us to move from the support and assistance programs to the business field. I want our business relations to move forward, moreover so because Austria has and is very interested in renewable energy sector, management of natural resources, including smart management of water resources. This can become a great area for doing business, because Armenia has a comparative advantage regarding other countries when it comes to climate, for instance in the area of producing solar energy. I would also like us to speak about issues related to the OSCE and our relations within the UN,” President Serzh Sargsyan said at the beginning of the meeting.

Ambassador Arman Kirakossian thanked the President for the initiative to conduct discussions in this format, to review Armenia’s bilateral and multilateral ties, the agenda with international organizations, looking into the existing problems and for the opportunity to solve them expeditiously and efficiently. In his report, he spoke in detail about issues facing the Armenian diplomatic mission in Vienna, recapped the works of recent years, presented the results and new opportunities created by them which have translated into a solid foundation for the Armenian-Austrian political dialogue and for the development of cooperation in different areas. Ambassador Kirakossian spoke also about the existing problems, including relations with some international organizations.

“Thank you, Distinguished Mr. President. The two countries have a very good, complete legal field: We have twenty agreements on cooperation in different areas. Half of them are of trade and economic nature which promotes active participation of our agencies and businessmen in the bilateral cooperation. As for business forums, I would like to say the following: there have been created excellent conditions, which received impetus after the visit of President Heinz Fischer as well as after your visit to Austria, and after the September 2014 visit of Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz to Armenia, who brought with him a special group of businessmen interested in the energy area. In the framework of the 7th session of the Armenian-Austrian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economy, Science and Technology, which will take place on April 13, there will be organized the Fourth Business Forum. Thus, conditions have been created for the businesses to meet, to get acquainted and to cooperate. Of course the turnover of recent years is not satisfactory. Some research is need on this but I believe we have every opportunity to improve the situation. Another important factor: Last year, we were able to create a Friendship Group in the Austrian Parliament, which is the first in the history of our relations. In the Parliament, they used to have the Group for South Caucasus and Central Asia, which factually was inactive. Last December, the formation of the Group was finalized and today it is chaired by a representative of the Green Party. The Group comprises members from all Parties represented in the Parliament. I should also note that during your visit, in Vienna was opened the Armenia Center, which is the first center of the kind outside Armenia. It truly a unique center which our institutions can us to organize different events in the heart of Europe. I will speak briefly about multilateral functions because as you said, they are very diverse: Our mission is represented in the multilateral format in the OSCE and Vienna offices of the UN, at the International Atomic Energy Agency, at the UN Industrial Development Organization, UN Office on Drugs and Crime. We view as very important cooperation with the International Development Fund of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with which we are working efficiently. It is also important, and I believe we will make a special reference to this topic, cooperation with the International Anti-Corruption Academy functioning in Austria. Last year, I present my credentials as required. It is important that our young people study there. This area is highly regarded in Austria and in Europe in general. This is a body which we can use to educate our youth,” said the RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Austria Arman Kirakossian.

At the conclusion of the discussion, President Serzh Sargsyan gave instruction to the participants and relevant agencies on the issues, programs and problems which have been raised during the meeting.