YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Expressing satisfaction over the development of the Armenian-Romanian political relations, during the March 21 meeting with the newly appointed Romanian Ambassador to Armenia Krina Rodik Prunariu, the Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian attached importance to activation and extension of the bilateral economic cooperation. Underlining the importance of Romania's joining the European Union on January 1, A. Margarian expressed confidence that in this status Romania will have its positive participation in further development of Armenia-EU relations and implementation of the EU-Armenia Action Plan. He said that Armenia also anticipates Romania's support and participation in implementation of Armenia's Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO. K. Prunariu in her turn assured the Armenian prime minister that Romania as a full and equal member of the EU is interested in rapid development of Armenia and all bilateral programs and intitiatives to be implemented will be aimed at further deepening of EU-Armenia relations. During the talk, the sides underlined the role of the Romanian Armenian community in development of bilateral links, particularly economic relations, especially as, in the words of the ambassador, Romania's current minister of economy is a member of the Armenian community. Speaking about trade and economic relations between the two countries, A. Margarian and K. Prunariu noted that despite an increase in commodity turnover in recent years, these relations are still far from being satisfactory. They spoke in support of efficient implementation of the cooperation agreements reached in various sectors of economy, as well as steps for development of the bilateral cooperation. It was pointed out that activation of business links and establishment of cooperation among the commerce and industry chambers and the development agencies of Armenia and Romania will promote economic relations and increase the trade turnover. In this connection the sides attached special importance to the work of the Armenian-Romanian trade-economic and scientific-technical commission, whose second sitting took place in Yerevan in October 2006, while the next one will be soon held in Romania. According to the RA Government Information and PR Department, at the conclusion of the meeting, A. Margarian stated that the Armenian government is willing to provide possible assistance to the newly appointed ambassador of Romania in implementing her diplomatic ativity in Armenia.

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