Yesterday, the Armenian World Trade Convention took place at the
Armenian National Academy of Sciences in the framework of the
“International Armenian Convention and Uniting of Russian Armenians in
Armenia and Artsakh” project. The convention had been organized by the
Armenian Union of Russia and the World Armenian Congress under the
direction of president Ara Abrahamyan. All the people who made speeches
thanked Mr. Abrahamyan in the end. The staff of the congress was the
same, as it was in the remaining events dedicated to the Armenia-Russia
economic relations. The presidential forum representatives from Armenia
included Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, Minister of Defense and
co-president of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental economic
collaboration representing the Armenian side Serj Sargsyan, Minister of
Economic and Trade Development Karen Tchshmarityan, President of the
Armenian development agency Vahag Movsisyan and others. Representatives
from the Russian delegation included the highest ranking official of
the Russian Federation, Minister of Transportation Igor Levitin, who is
the co-president of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental economic
collaboration representing the Russian side.
No large businessmen or oligarchs took part in the congress. During the
congress yesterday, there was no new announcement made about
Armenian-Russian economic relations besides the former declarations.
The representatives from Russia were mainly talking about the outlooks
for the enterprises signed within the “Property in exchange for debt”
contract. Armenian officials presented Armenia’s economic growth in the
past couple of years and that Armenia can attract many investors from
Russia. What’s interesting though, is that neither during the congress
nor the press conference did the representatives of both countries
reflect on the recent and main issue of Armenian-Russian economic
relations; the closing of the Russian-Georgian Verin Lars border.
Everyone was discussing the necessity of opening up communication paths
in the region. The Minister of Transportation of the Russian Federation
Igor Levitin discussed the opening of the roads. He also pointed out
that the reason for the present situation of the communication paths is
due to Georgia not being able to make a final decision. Igor Levitin
will depart for Azerbaijan and then Georgia where he will try to
discuss the problems connected with communication between the three
countries. In any case, the purpose for yesterday’s meeting was not
really the outlooks for development and projects, but rather to show
once again that Russia plays an “irreplaceable” role in Armenia’s life.
One gets the impression that such conventions are organized to keep the
Russian “spirit” alive in Armenian society. That is especially
important now when it is obvious that some of the “anti-terrorist
steps” taken by Russia directly put Armenia in danger.
G.G.