YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Following the conclusion of the second session of Armenian-Belarus intergovernmental trade and economic commission–the prime ministers of Armenia and Belarus signed an agreement "On Cooperation and Friendship" between the two countries. The agreement is expected to be ratified during Byelorussian president Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Armenia in the coming year
A number of agreemen’s on evasion of double taxation–tourism–customs–information and publication areas were also signed.
According to Belarussian prime minister Vladimir Yermoshin–the agreemen’s will allow to bring the volume of trade and commodity turnover between the two countries to $8 million. The highest volume was reported in 1997 with $4.5 million.
A joint BelAr cjsc is to be set up to facilitate bilateral economic contacts. The Byelorussian businessmen who are accompanying the prime minister said cooperation in production of medicines and chemicals was also possible.
The third session of the intergovernmental commission is scheduled to take place in Belarus in March or April 2001.