WE NEED EXTRA EFFORTS FOR STIMULATING ARMENIAN-INDIAN ECONOMIC TIES: ARMENIA’S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER
18:49, 18 September, 2013
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: Deputy foreign affairs minister of
the Republic of Armenia Sergey Manaseryan’s interview to “Armenpress”
news agency.
– We are informed that the next 6th session of ArmenianIndian
inter-governmental committee will be held in Delhi.
How will you estimate current level of Armenian-Indian relations?
– When describing Armenian-Indian relations it is necessary to mention
at first that they have rich historical past. About historical and
cultural relations has been spoken and written a lot and I think
that these themes still need to be studied. One thing is obvious:
on this favorable ground have been built relations between Republics
of Armenia and India.
During past periods several high-level visits and meetings took place,
close cooperation was held between foreign ministries of two countries,
diplomatic representations of Armenia and India function actively in
Delhi and Yerevan. By the way, in parallel with intergovernmental
committee’s session in Delhi will be held political consultations
between foreign ministries which have the aim to summarize results of
political contacts and outline the future joint steps. I would like
to mention that visits of chairman of Armenian National Assembly
and minister of education and science to India are planned during
this year.
As it is known in several leading Armenian universities learn students
from India and official contacts of educational sphere responsible
persons greatly help to raise the efficiency of exchanges. In framework
of Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC)
during these years state officials and specialists from Armenian
various ministries and organizations passed trainings in India.
– To development of which sphere is directed Indian technical support?
It is known that in 2011 in support of Indian side in Yerevan was
opened Armenian-Indian center for Excellence in Information and
Communication Technologies.
– During past years India provided humanitarian and technical
support to our country among which specially should be mentioned
the agricultural techniques provided to Armenian agricultural
sphere in 2005-2006 as well as the program of creation of computer
halls in Armenian regions implemented under joint efforts of Indian
embassy in Armenia and “Hayastan” All Armenian Fund. By the end of
2012 such halls have been opened in 72 schools of Tavush region. At
present implementation if such program is prepared in Lori region. Of
course the implementation of these programs is greatly supported by
Armenian-Indian center for Excellence in Information and Communication
Technologies which was officially opened in November of 2011 in
framework of India’s minister of Communication and Information
Technology Sachin Pilot’s visit to the Republic of Armenia.
I should inform with satisfaction that during this short period the
Center has implemented large-scale work. Among functions of the Center
is the development of high-speed computer technologies, implementation
of joint research programs, organization of educational lessons and
exchange of specialists, business meetings, seminars and contests.
It is the only organization in the region which has super-computer
“Param” produced in India (Param Super-Computer). With the help of
that computer are implemented 15 scientific-research programs, in the
center teach 8 Armenian specialists which were trained in India and
around 300 seminars have been organized. There was made arrangement
with Indian side on organizing visits of Armenian specialist to
India. The support given by Indian side is greatly favorable for
development of above-mentioned spheres and we are grateful to our
Indian friends for that.
– What prospects has Armenian-Indian cooperation in other fields?
– Before reverberating to practical spheres I would like to mention
that between our countries close contacts are held in humanitarian
spheres. Lately “Sugar and Spice” dance ensemble arrived from Mumbai
and performed in Armenia. Cultural events make our nations more
perceptible for each other both by introducing modern folk arts and
creating friendship ties between our youth. I would also like to
reverberate to one more moment: in august of current year Ministry
of healthcare of the Republic of Armenia applied to embassy of India
in Yerevan asking to find medicine for children who were ill with
Thalassemia and due to active support of the embassy the medicine
was brought to Armenia in a short period.
Speaking about prospects of trade-economic cooperation I should
mention that we have yet many things to do. During last years the
volume of turnover between Armenia and India was 70 million USD
and goods imported from India form the major part of it. We need
extra efforts for involvement of investments from India to Armenia
and stimulation of export of Armenian goods to India. At present in
participation of all interested Armenian departments are held active
works for making the coming session of inter-governmental committee
more practical and efficient.
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