YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Armenia and Russia have a history of strong relations that continues to develop till this day, the President of the Russian Union of Armenia’s and the World Armenian Congress Ara Abrahamian told reporters during a press conference on Friday, pointing to Russian president Dmitri Medvedev’s upcoming visit to Armenia as further indication of the growing ties between the two countries.
The Russian President is set to arrive in Yerevan on Monday for a two day visit that will include meetings with Armenia’s senior leadership. On the agenda of his visit is discussion on a program that will facilitate business between Russia, South Korea, and Armenia, said Abrahamian.
“By participating in such business program we will promote Armenia’s entrance into international market,” he said, adding that there are currently a number of large Russian companies that are investing in Armenia’s economy, creating new jobs in the process.
Commenting on President Serzh Sargsian’s appeal for Diaspora Armenian businessmen to invest in Armenia’s economy, Abrahamian noted that about ten Russian-based Armenian businessmen have pledged to make “serious investmen’s” in the near future.
Abrahamian, who himself responded to Sarkisian’s call and pledged to invest $150 million in “new economic initiatives” in Armenia, said he will be financing the construction of a 5-star hotel in Yerevan and a canned food factory in Yeghegnadzor.
“It is vital for the government to develop several investment programs for businessmen to take on,” he said. “A serious situation has been created in the region and it is necessary to conduct the right foreign policy.”
Influential Diaspora Armenian figures must also support the Armenian authorities in this initiative, he added.
Abrahamian also met Friday with Diaspora Minister Hran’sh Hakobian to discuss programs that will “promote the activation and development of ties with Diaspora.”
During the meeting, Abrahamian emphasized the imperative to developing Armenian-US relations, noting that the Diaspora Ministry must work towards uniting Armenia’s around the world for the development of Armenia.
