Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in the Russian Federation on a working visit. The Prime Minister attended a regular session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Moscow.

After the formal photo session, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council met in narrow format, followed by an expanded-format meeting. In attendance were the Prime Ministers of Armenia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan. The meeting was also attended by Serbia’s Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabić.

In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan, in particular, noted:
“Dear colleagues,
Dear guests,

I would like to begin with a vote of thanks addressed to Dmitry Anatolyevich for hosting today’s meeting, for hospitality and a traditionally warm welcome. I am pleased to visit Moscow once again and attend the meeting of the Intergovernmental Council.

Down to the agenda, I want to start with the report on the activities carried out by the Eurasian Economic Commission over the past period. I think that over its nearly four-year-long operations, the Eurasian Economic Commission has done a tremendous amount of work to implement in practice the principles of free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor. Remarkable results have been achieved in terms of creating and strengthening the institutions of the Eurasian Economic Union.

We can proudly state that our organization has taken a huge step forward on the way to international recognition of its place and role in the global economic system with a diversified portfolio of cooperation.

After proudly mentioning the results achieved so far, I would like to emphasize the need to improve the applicable regulatory framework, address the shortcomings and restrictions, coordinate policies in key sectors of the economy, as well as to alleviate the bureaucratic burden on business. We are faced with sizeable tasks in terms of deepening the cooperation between our countries in a wide range of industries.

One of these tasks is to develop a legal framework for the common market of alcoholic beverages. The final approval of the “Agreement on regulation of EAEU alcohol market,” which is based on the principles of non-discrimination and restriction of competition, will be another step towards removing the existing barriers. Creating conditions conducive to free circulation of precious metals, precious stones and products within the EAEU’s domestic market is another important task.

I believe that the signing of the relevant international agreement will provide mutually beneficial trade and economic mechanisms to enhance the Member States’ competitive advantages. The agreement will lift the restrictions associated with the lack of mutual recognition of assay marks.

In this context, the approval of the “Action plan for promoting EAEU-manufactured jewelry products in third country markets” will help increase competitiveness, boost our exports and will give a strong impetus to the development of that industry in our countries.

In the run-up to February, 2020, the formation of a new staff for the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission is becoming increasingly relevant. We believe that the introduction of a rotation mechanism can lay the foundation for a fair redistribution of functionality based on the principles of equality and mutual respect for each other’s interests.

Dear Friends,

As I have repeatedly stated, a key priority for Armenia’s EAEU chairmanship in 2019 is the diversification of foreign economic relations and the expansion of free trade agreements’ geographical coverage.

In this respect, I wish to felicitate all of us on the signing of another free trade agreement. I would like to note with great pleasure that today we will sign one with Serbia. Armenia intends to take full advantage of the mechanisms available under this arrangement.

Another landmark event on the way to implementing the goals and objectives set for the Union’s international activities is the entry into force of the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the People’s Republic of China, on the other.

Despite the fact that the Agreement does not provide for the removal of duties or automatic reduction of non-tariff barriers as it is non-preferential in nature, yet it will facilitate access to the PRC market for goods produced in EAEU countries by simplifying trade procedures, increasing transparency and the level of interaction in all areas of trade cooperation.

In conclusion, I want to note that today’s meeting is the last meeting of the Intergovernmental Council that I am attending as the chairperson. In this regard, I wish to thank everyone for cooperation and support. Taking this opportunity, I also want to wish Belarus Prime Minister Sergey Nikolayevich Rumas successful chairmanship in the Intergovernmental Council. Thank you.”

Issues related to national regulatory acts in the field of trade in alcoholic products and the expansion of cooperation between Member States in a number of spheres, including precious metals, industry and agriculture, were discussed during the meeting. In connection with the expiration of the term of office of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission on February 1, 2020, a report was delivered on the key results of EAEC-implemented activities.

In the context of developing EAEU’s international activities, the Prime Ministers of EAEU-Member States and Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabić signed a free trade agreement between the EAEU and Serbia. A joint statement was adopted on the occasion of the entry into force of the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the People’s Republic of China, on the other.

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Following the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council’s meeting, RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission Tigran Sargsyan held a joint press conference to present the issues discussed and the results of negotiations.

Prime Minister Pashinyan stated, in part:
“Dear media representatives,
Dear EAEC Board Chairman,

Let me briefly summarize the results of today’s meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. I want to state that as always the discussions went off in a constructive atmosphere, and we managed to reach agreement on almost all issues on the agenda of our meeting.

We heard a report on the results of Eurasian Economic Commission’s activities, including our main achievements in building the integration space, the reasons behind the problems, as well as progress in the implementation of EAEU-adopted acts.

The process of drafting an agreement on alcohol market regulations in the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union was discussed. Once adopted, the agreement will lead to the establishment of a legal framework for the common alcohol market within the EAEU.

Next, I would like to mention the agreement on specific transactions associated with precious metals and precious stones, which is meant to lift the restrictions on the Union’s domestic jewelry market. As much important is the “Action plan for promoting EAEU-manufactured jewelry products in third country markets.”

Dear friends,

It is a pleasure that Serbian Premier Ana Brnabić was in attendance. I am pleased to state that one more country, Serbia, today signed a free trade zone agreement with the EAEU. The signing of the agreement with Serbia is another step forward on the way to expanding the geographical coverage of EAEU’s partnership.

Today’s meeting was also marked by the fact that the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation with the People’s Republic of China came into force.

The signing of the agreement with Serbia and the entry into force of the agreement with China testifies to increased international standing and attractiveness of our integration association.”

* * *

On a working visit to Moscow, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today met with RF Premier Dmitry Medvedev.

“Dear Nikol Vovayevich, I cordially welcome you once again. We have been meeting regularly, and we are now holding a meeting in the format of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. Armenia presided over the Intergovernmental Council. I want to thank you again for your chairmanship. To my mind, everything worked out, especially considering that we could face different situations in this period.

This meeting is a good opportunity to discuss trade and economic cooperation, investments, and cooperation between our two countries. In general, our cooperation is developing quite successfully, which does not mean that there is nothing to improve. Some issues perhaps need to be discussed, and I will do it with pleasure. Thank you once again for participating in our intergovernmental council’s proceedings,” Dmitry Medvedev said.

“Dear Dmitry Anatolyevich, let me thank you for the warm welcome. Today we have gathered to attend the Intergovernmental Council’s meeting. Our chairmanship in the Organization is nearing completion. I wish to state that Armenia’s chairmanship proved quite fruitful, since this year the treaty between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union came into effect; we signed an agreement with Singapore. Today we signed another arrangement with Serbia.

I think that the negotiations with some of our partners are proceeding at a fairly good pace. I am confident that the scope of countries that have agreements with the EAEU will definitely expand in the future.

And, of course, this is a very good reason to discuss issues of bilateral relations between our countries. I wish to stress that I have kept fond recollections of your visit to Yerevan. We had a good time; we did a fruitful job; we had a good meeting.

I want to thank you for the discussion we had on Armenia’s exports, specifically those of agricultural products, and I want to note that our exporters faced no problems during the season. The Upper Lars checkpoint is indeed quite challenging in terms of geography, and we are delighted to see Russia set to start reconstruction there,” Prime Minister Pashinyan said.

During the meeting the Prime Ministers discussed prospects of economic cooperation, and taking the opportunity, touched on the agenda of Armenian-Russian relations.

* * *

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan who is in Moscow on a working visit called at Armenia’s Embassy in Russia. A ceremonious event was held, during which the Prime Minister awarded Nikita Simonyan the First-Degree Order for Outstanding Service to Motherland in acknowledgement of his merit to Armenian football.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister noted:
“Dear Mr. Simonyan,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor for me to hand to Nikita Simonyan the First-Degree Order for Outstanding Service to Motherland. I was born in 1975, and I remember my family always talking about “Ararat-73” and Nikita Simonyan during festive events. As a person who used to take credit in this legendary name, I am greatly honored today to meet Nikita Simonyan.

I think this Order speaks for itself, and I feel that its impact goes far beyond football: “Ararat-73” has become an integral part of our national identity, our national self-confidence, our national pride and our strong belief in our own strengths. “Ararat-73” is a symbol, which proves every day that when we gold together, when we have a common goal and a shared dream, we can make our dream a reality.

I think that the heroic achievements of “Ararat-73” and the work done by Nikita Simonyan are an important milestone in our centuries-old history and give us the strength not only to dream, but also to implement them.

Dear Mr. Simonyan, on behalf of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian nation, allow me to thank you for your service to the Motherland. We are proud of you; we take great pride in your achievements. We are glad to see you in such a good mood today, in such a beautiful young look, and it will be a great honor for all of us to see you in Armenia in the near future. Thank you again and again,” Prime Minister Pashinyan said.

Nikita Simonyan thanked the Prime Minister for high appreciation. He noted that he was always proud of being an Armenian and strived to give credit to his people through sporting achievements.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is paying a working visit to the Russian Federation, today called on well-known actor, USSR People’s Artist Armen Jigarkhanyan in Moscow.

The Premier thanked the well-known artist for hospitality and noted that he was glad to meet with Mr. Jigarkhanyan. “I am pleased and honored to meet and get to know you. Mr. Jigarkhanyan, you enjoy great love and popularity not only among Armenians, but in other nations as well, and we are proud that we have a compatriot like you,” the Prime Minister said.

Nikol Pashinyan asked about the renowned artist’s health status and creative plans. Thankful for the visit, Armen Jigarkhanyan spoke about his theater’s activities and creative plans. “I really want to come to Armenia, to my homeland: I think about it every minute,” the famous actor said.