Updates
Foreign visits
03
11, 2009
State visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Kuwait
Today, the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan arrived on a two-day state visit to the State of Kuwait. At the international airport in El Kuwait there took place the official ceremony of welcoming the President of Armenia.
The delegation headed by Serzh Sargsyan comprises the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Finance Tigran Davtian, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Hranush Hakopian, Minister of Culture Hasmik Pogossian, Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotian, Chairman of the Armenia-Kuwait parliamentary group Vahan Hovannissian, Chairman of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Arsen Ghazarian, and Chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Chamber Martin Sarkissian.
In the framework of the visit along with the official meetings the President of Armenia will meet with the Armenian community of Kuwait.
After the official welcoming ceremony in the airport of El Kuwait and a brief meeting with the Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received in his residence the Chairman of the Kuwait Investment Authority, Bader Muhammad Al-Sahadin. During the meeting the President of Armenia noted that after regaining independence Armenia adopted a policy of free market economy and as a developing country is ready to cooperate with the Investment Authority, creating proper conditions for a successful implementation of different investment programs. In his turn, Bader Muhammad Al-Sahadin said that the Investment Authority is implementing investment programs in a number of developing countries and will be happy to start cooperation with our country as well. Among possible areas of the implementation of the Investment Authority programs mentioned were areas of energy, agriculture, real estate, and mining. The parties reached agreement to send a group of Armenian experts to Kuwait, to discuss in detail with the Investment Authority the prospects of cooperation and real investment proposals.
Serzh Sargsyan also met with the Executive Director of the Economic Development Fund Abdulwahab Ahmad al-Bader. The Fund is one of the major establishments among development institutions of the Gulf countries, whose efforts are aimed at the economic advancement of Arab and other developing states through loans, technical assistance grants, investment projects, and capital participation. President Sargsyan said that Armenia is interested in enhancing cooperation in different areas and is ready to start interaction with the Fund in different areas, creating necessary conditions for the implementation of the investment projects of different caliber. In his turn, the Executive Director of the Economic Development Fund stressed the importance of their participation in Armenia’s economic development and expressed readiness to carefully discuss opportunities for cooperation and concrete investment projects with the group of experts which is arrive to Kuwait.
At his residence, the President of Armenia met also with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait Jassem Mohammad al-Kharafi and the Prime Minister of Kuwait Nasir Al-Muhammad Al-Ahamd Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
“This is my first visit to the Gulf country and is aimed at providing a new impetus to our relations with the countries of the Gulf region. Armenia is deeply interested in developing relations with Kuwait and other Gulf countries, and with this regard the Parliaments can play a significant role,” stressed Serzh Sargsyan during his meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait. In his turn, Jassem Mohammad al-Kharafi underscored that high level reciprocal visits and contacts enhance bilateral relations and send a clear signal to the business communities of the two countries. The interlocutors concurred that bilateral relations have a great potential for development and stressed the importance of a more active engagement of the friendship groups in both Parliaments for deepening that cooperation. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait proposed to organize the Days of Armenia in Kuwait and to introduce the people of Kuwait to the tourism opportunities in Armenia since in Kuwait Armenia is known as a beautiful and attractive country.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister of Kuwait discussed were issues related to the development of economic cooperation of the two countries. The parties noted that esteem and kind disposition of the Armenia and Arab peoples towards each other provided a fertile soil on which the cooperation in different areas can flourish, utilizing the entire potential of economic and cultural cooperation. Serzh Sargsyan said that Armenia has a positive experience of cooperation with a number of Gulf States and the Armenian-Kuwaiti cooperation can achieve considerable success if corresponding and persistent steps are taken. To implement the agreements reached during Serzh Sargsyan’s visit and to institutionalize the development of bilateral relations, it was decided to establish an intergovernmental commission. The President of Armenia and the Prime Minister of Kuwait concurred that establishment of the embassies in Yerevan and El Kuwait would further promote bilateral relations and constant political dialogue, noting that the small trade turnover between the two countries does not reflect the existing potential. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries were instructed to take more active steps in consultations regarding opening of the embassies in the two capitals. They also reached agreement to speed up the process of preparing for signing the agreement between Armenia and Kuwait on encouragement and mutual protection of investments.
At the conclusion of the first day of his state visit, the President of Armenia conducted negotiations with the Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Expressing gratitude to the President of Armenia for accepting his invitation and coming to Kuwait on a state visit, Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed confidence that President Sargsyan’s visit would serve as a strong impetus for moving forward cooperation in different areas, based on centuries-long friendship of the Arab and Armenian peoples, mutual fondness and esteem. “There are no obstacles or issues that could hinder the development of our relations. High level visits such as this one, are to be considered a strong impetus for the development of bilateral relations,” said the Emir of Kuwait. In his turn, President Sargsyan thanked the Emir of Kuwait for the invitation and warm reception and underlined that Armenia is deeply interested in developing political dialogue, economic and cultural cooperation with the State of Kuwait, adding that although not a large but well-organized Armenian community in Kuwait is a reliable bridge of friendship between the two countries. Serzh Sargsyan said that the Armenian authorities are ready to discuss thoroughly, create necessary conditions and provided assistance for the implementation in our country of the prospective investment programs. The President of Armenia and the Emir of Kuwait exchanged also views on the issues related to regional security, present problems and conflict resolution processes. Serzh Sargsyan informed the leader of Kuwait about the current stage of the Armenia-Turkey normalization process, substance of the NK issues and related peace process. The two sides stressed the importance of cooperation in multilateral settings – in international organizations and structures. President Sargsyan expressed confidence that opening of the embassies and regular political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries will promote better understanding of each other’s problems, which will in turn allow to come up with a well-founded positions during the discussions and voting. Sometimes, not sufficient information on Artsakh issue as well as undue and inadmissible misuse by Azerbaijan of religious solidarity results in the adoption by the Organization of Islamic Conference of unjustified decisions.
At the conclusion of the negotiations on the highest level, President Sargsyan and the Emir of Kuwait were present at the official signing ceremony of the intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in the areas of agriculture, education, culture and tourism, as well as agreements on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion. Serzh Sargsyan and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah assessed the signing of five intergovernmental agreements as a “significant result of the visit of the President of the Republic of Armenia and an important step in moving cooperation of the two countries forward.”
After the high-level negotiations, in Bayan Palace in the capital of Kuwait, the Emir of Kuwait gave official dinner in honor of the President of Armenia.
In the framework of the visit, President Sargsyan visited also a scientific center located in Salmiya area, where he was introduced to the activities of the center which is working on the problems of the Gulf ecosystem. Serzh Sargsyan toured the exhibit with marine animals, observed artifacts of the history of Kuwait, and made an inscription in the Book of honorary guests.
During his meeting with President of the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Kuwait, President of Armenia welcomed the agreement on cooperation with the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Armenia. The parties reached agreement regarding the visit of the Kuwaiti businessmen to Armenia, where they can see first hand investment opportunities and look into the prospects of cooperation. The President of the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Kuwait extended invitation to the business circles and organizations of Armenia to participate in the implementation of the five-year development program of Kuwait.
In the framework of his visit, President Serzh Sargsyan met also with the representatives of the Armenian community of Kuwait, told them about the results of the visit and reached agreements, as well as Armenia’s social and economic development, the necessity of preservation of the Armenian identity and Armenia-Spyurq unity, Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the NK peace process. He also answered questions raised by our brothers and sisters residing in Kuwait.
The delegation headed by Serzh Sargsyan comprises the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Finance Tigran Davtian, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Hranush Hakopian, Minister of Culture Hasmik Pogossian, Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotian, Chairman of the Armenia-Kuwait parliamentary group Vahan Hovannissian, Chairman of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Arsen Ghazarian, and Chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Chamber Martin Sarkissian.
In the framework of the visit along with the official meetings the President of Armenia will meet with the Armenian community of Kuwait.
After the official welcoming ceremony in the airport of El Kuwait and a brief meeting with the Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received in his residence the Chairman of the Kuwait Investment Authority, Bader Muhammad Al-Sahadin. During the meeting the President of Armenia noted that after regaining independence Armenia adopted a policy of free market economy and as a developing country is ready to cooperate with the Investment Authority, creating proper conditions for a successful implementation of different investment programs. In his turn, Bader Muhammad Al-Sahadin said that the Investment Authority is implementing investment programs in a number of developing countries and will be happy to start cooperation with our country as well. Among possible areas of the implementation of the Investment Authority programs mentioned were areas of energy, agriculture, real estate, and mining. The parties reached agreement to send a group of Armenian experts to Kuwait, to discuss in detail with the Investment Authority the prospects of cooperation and real investment proposals.
Serzh Sargsyan also met with the Executive Director of the Economic Development Fund Abdulwahab Ahmad al-Bader. The Fund is one of the major establishments among development institutions of the Gulf countries, whose efforts are aimed at the economic advancement of Arab and other developing states through loans, technical assistance grants, investment projects, and capital participation. President Sargsyan said that Armenia is interested in enhancing cooperation in different areas and is ready to start interaction with the Fund in different areas, creating necessary conditions for the implementation of the investment projects of different caliber. In his turn, the Executive Director of the Economic Development Fund stressed the importance of their participation in Armenia’s economic development and expressed readiness to carefully discuss opportunities for cooperation and concrete investment projects with the group of experts which is arrive to Kuwait.
At his residence, the President of Armenia met also with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait Jassem Mohammad al-Kharafi and the Prime Minister of Kuwait Nasir Al-Muhammad Al-Ahamd Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
“This is my first visit to the Gulf country and is aimed at providing a new impetus to our relations with the countries of the Gulf region. Armenia is deeply interested in developing relations with Kuwait and other Gulf countries, and with this regard the Parliaments can play a significant role,” stressed Serzh Sargsyan during his meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait. In his turn, Jassem Mohammad al-Kharafi underscored that high level reciprocal visits and contacts enhance bilateral relations and send a clear signal to the business communities of the two countries. The interlocutors concurred that bilateral relations have a great potential for development and stressed the importance of a more active engagement of the friendship groups in both Parliaments for deepening that cooperation. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait proposed to organize the Days of Armenia in Kuwait and to introduce the people of Kuwait to the tourism opportunities in Armenia since in Kuwait Armenia is known as a beautiful and attractive country.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister of Kuwait discussed were issues related to the development of economic cooperation of the two countries. The parties noted that esteem and kind disposition of the Armenia and Arab peoples towards each other provided a fertile soil on which the cooperation in different areas can flourish, utilizing the entire potential of economic and cultural cooperation. Serzh Sargsyan said that Armenia has a positive experience of cooperation with a number of Gulf States and the Armenian-Kuwaiti cooperation can achieve considerable success if corresponding and persistent steps are taken. To implement the agreements reached during Serzh Sargsyan’s visit and to institutionalize the development of bilateral relations, it was decided to establish an intergovernmental commission. The President of Armenia and the Prime Minister of Kuwait concurred that establishment of the embassies in Yerevan and El Kuwait would further promote bilateral relations and constant political dialogue, noting that the small trade turnover between the two countries does not reflect the existing potential. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries were instructed to take more active steps in consultations regarding opening of the embassies in the two capitals. They also reached agreement to speed up the process of preparing for signing the agreement between Armenia and Kuwait on encouragement and mutual protection of investments.
At the conclusion of the first day of his state visit, the President of Armenia conducted negotiations with the Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Expressing gratitude to the President of Armenia for accepting his invitation and coming to Kuwait on a state visit, Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed confidence that President Sargsyan’s visit would serve as a strong impetus for moving forward cooperation in different areas, based on centuries-long friendship of the Arab and Armenian peoples, mutual fondness and esteem. “There are no obstacles or issues that could hinder the development of our relations. High level visits such as this one, are to be considered a strong impetus for the development of bilateral relations,” said the Emir of Kuwait. In his turn, President Sargsyan thanked the Emir of Kuwait for the invitation and warm reception and underlined that Armenia is deeply interested in developing political dialogue, economic and cultural cooperation with the State of Kuwait, adding that although not a large but well-organized Armenian community in Kuwait is a reliable bridge of friendship between the two countries. Serzh Sargsyan said that the Armenian authorities are ready to discuss thoroughly, create necessary conditions and provided assistance for the implementation in our country of the prospective investment programs. The President of Armenia and the Emir of Kuwait exchanged also views on the issues related to regional security, present problems and conflict resolution processes. Serzh Sargsyan informed the leader of Kuwait about the current stage of the Armenia-Turkey normalization process, substance of the NK issues and related peace process. The two sides stressed the importance of cooperation in multilateral settings – in international organizations and structures. President Sargsyan expressed confidence that opening of the embassies and regular political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries will promote better understanding of each other’s problems, which will in turn allow to come up with a well-founded positions during the discussions and voting. Sometimes, not sufficient information on Artsakh issue as well as undue and inadmissible misuse by Azerbaijan of religious solidarity results in the adoption by the Organization of Islamic Conference of unjustified decisions.
At the conclusion of the negotiations on the highest level, President Sargsyan and the Emir of Kuwait were present at the official signing ceremony of the intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in the areas of agriculture, education, culture and tourism, as well as agreements on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion. Serzh Sargsyan and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah assessed the signing of five intergovernmental agreements as a “significant result of the visit of the President of the Republic of Armenia and an important step in moving cooperation of the two countries forward.”
After the high-level negotiations, in Bayan Palace in the capital of Kuwait, the Emir of Kuwait gave official dinner in honor of the President of Armenia.
In the framework of the visit, President Sargsyan visited also a scientific center located in Salmiya area, where he was introduced to the activities of the center which is working on the problems of the Gulf ecosystem. Serzh Sargsyan toured the exhibit with marine animals, observed artifacts of the history of Kuwait, and made an inscription in the Book of honorary guests.
During his meeting with President of the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Kuwait, President of Armenia welcomed the agreement on cooperation with the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Armenia. The parties reached agreement regarding the visit of the Kuwaiti businessmen to Armenia, where they can see first hand investment opportunities and look into the prospects of cooperation. The President of the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Kuwait extended invitation to the business circles and organizations of Armenia to participate in the implementation of the five-year development program of Kuwait.
In the framework of his visit, President Serzh Sargsyan met also with the representatives of the Armenian community of Kuwait, told them about the results of the visit and reached agreements, as well as Armenia’s social and economic development, the necessity of preservation of the Armenian identity and Armenia-Spyurq unity, Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the NK peace process. He also answered questions raised by our brothers and sisters residing in Kuwait.