Maxim Sokolov: Russian Federation remains the main trade partner of Armenia

ArmInfo. Meetings with  Armenian partners at the site of the Intergovernmental Commission  have proved to be an effective mechanism for promptly agreeing joint  actions. This allows us to timely work out a set of measures aimed at  deepening economic cooperation, implementing a unified economic  policy within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. This was  stated by the Russian co-chairman of the commission, the Minister of  Transport of the Russian Federation Maxim Sokolov at the 18th meeting  of the Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission for economic  cooperation on February 20.

According to the press service of Russian Transport Ministry, the  meeting discussed a wide range of issues, including cooperation in  the trade and economic sphere, in the fuel and energy complex,  transport, agriculture, industry and culture. The parties discussed  the possibilities of cooperation in the creation of joint investment  projects for implementation in FEZ Meghri. Based on the results of  the discussion, the Ministry of Economic Development jointly with the  Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Russian  Export Center and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian  Federation was instructed to work out the possibility of involving  Russian companies in the work of FEZ Meghri and assist in  establishing contacts with Armenian partners.

Sokolov noted the intensification of trade relations, and this  dynamics is increasingly seen. So, if in 2016 the trade turnover grew  7%, then by the end of 2017, growth was already almost 30% - up to $  1.7 billion, Russian exports increased by 28%, and imports from  Armenia increased by 34%. A significant share in Russian imports from  Armenia is taken by agricultural products - 56.8%.

"We expect that our work will allow us to consolidate the positive  dynamics in trade," M. Sokolov said. He recalled that at the last  meeting of the commission, which took place in July 2016 in St.  Petersburg, it was decided more than 50 decisions affecting various  areas of cooperation. During the period 2016-2017. active work was  carried out to implement them. So, the Russian gas supplies to the  Republic of Armenia continued at a reduced price, duty-free supplies  of oil products, the Russian-Armenian interregional forum is  regularly held, and in December 2017 a branch of the Russian Center  for Science and Culture in Gyumri was opened. A number of agreements  have also been signed in various areas of cooperation.

The Russian Federation remains the main trade partner of Armenia, M.  Sokolov stressed.

Karapetyan, summing up the results of the cooperation, expressed his  readiness to expand it in all directions, including transport and  infrastructure projects, as well as in the field of health, science,  culture and education.

The protocol of the 18th meeting fixed a number of instructions to  the agencies of the parties, monitoring of implementation of which  will be taken for regular monitoring.