Armen Sarkissian: Decisions on the visa free regime for the citizens of Armenia and establishment of an embassy in Armenia are important steps toward the strengthening of the relations

President of the Republic Armen Sarkissian and President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić recapped the results of the meetings in the statements for the representatives of the media.

President Armen Sarkissian’s statement:

“Distinguished Mr. President,

At the outset, on behalf of the delegation and my own behalf, I thank you for the invitation to visit your wonderful country, as well as for the warm welcome.
Our people have centuries-long historical and cultural ties which today, in the 21st century are transforming into interstate relations, based on the common vision regarding the future of our countries.

I note with satisfaction that we’ve had constructive and efficient discussions with my colleague which were a continuation of our meeting in Munich. The agenda of the negotiations was pretty full and broad. The both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthen the relations and expressed desire to open a new page.

As a result of today’s talks, political dialogue between Armenia and Serbia allows to open new avenues for cooperation in the areas of agriculture, food production, high technologies and innovations, mining, and many other areas. We have to work hard to make new initiatives a reality. I am confident that innovation and high technologies will be locomotives of our cooperation. Based on that logic, our delegation comprises representatives of Armenia’s high tech industry. We are striving to establish close cooperation between these areas of the two countries.

Speaking of economic cooperation, I would also like to stress the opportunities provided by the Eurasian Economic Union. We are hopeful that on October 25 a free trade agreement will be signed between the EAEU and Serbia. I am glad that it will happen in the period of Armenia’s chairmanship at the EAEU. I would like to remind that in 2017 Armenia signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU which opened new opportunities for the Armenian-Serbian cooperation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We discussed with the President also different important regional and international issues. We agreed on the necessity to work closer at the international organizations and to conduct regular consultations. We underscored the importance of cultural ties. In this framework, I believe it is significant that I once again thank the Serbian government, and the President personally:

Today it’s been announced that citizens of Armenia will be able to visit Serbia without a visa. It is an important milestone for our relations. At the same time, today I was informed that the State Secretary will visit Armenia soon to conduct talks on the opening of the Serbian Embassy in Armenia in the end of this year. These are not accidental steps; these are steps aimed at the cooperation of two countries. Speaking of the importance of human contucts,

I would like to note that the Armenian people will never forget the invaluable assistance of the brotherly Serbian people to eliminate the concequences of the 1988 earthquake in Spitak. Tomorrow, I will be visiting Avala to pay tribute to the memory of the pilots who lost their lives delivering assistance to Armenia after the 1988 earthquake in Spitak. Armenia and Armenian people are grateful to the friendly people of Serbia.

Distinguished Mr. President,

I thank you once again for the warm welcome and for your attention and steps taken toward the deepening of the Armenian-Serbian relations. I hope that soon we will have the opportunity to host you in Armenia in the framework of your official visit.”