On December 3 the official delegation led by RA NA Speaker Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan in Seoul met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Mr. Kim Hyong-O.
At the beginning of the meeting RA NA Speaker Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan thanked him for the invitation to visit Korea and warm reception shown to the delegation.
Welcoming the partner and expressing gratitude for accepting his invitation and visiting to the Republic of Korea, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Mr. Kim Hyong-O highly assessed Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan’s visit to Korea and noted that it would be an important impetus for developing and strengthening the Armenian-Korean friendly relations not only at the parliamentary level, but also in all directions. He also highlighted the visit of the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament in activating the economic, scientific-educational, cultural cooperation.
Highlighting the necessity of deepening the inter-parliamentary cooperation RA NA Speaker Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Groups, which were formed in the parliaments of Armenia and the Republic of Korea, could have their considerable contribution in raising the level of mutual recognition between the two countries and peoples and discovering new spheres of cooperation. However, it was noted that not used huge potential still existed in order to develop and strengthen the Armenian-Korean partnership in different spheres. He expressed willingness to make efforts in advancing the Armenian-Korean inter-parliamentary cooperation. From the view of using the big potential of economic cooperation Mr. Abrahamyan stressed the encouragement of the investments of the Armenian-Korean companies in Armenia’s economy, noting that in this direction the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Yerevan implemented effective five-year activities, in the name of the Honoured Consul of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Korea, RA NA deputy Mr. Armen Abrahamyan. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Korea a number of events have been implemented in different spheres. As a result of cooperation, Korean language is taught in Yerevan Brusov State Linguistic University as second foreign language and about 200 Armenian students study it. The first Armenian-Korean dictionary was published. RA NA Speaker also highlighted the formation of the legal-contractual field in order to create more favourable conditions for economic cooperation.
At the Korean partner’s request, the RA NA Speaker presented the structure of the National Assembly, introduced him the legislative and oversight functions, the order of the parliament’s formation, the representation of the political forces in the National Assembly.
Mr. Abrahamyan noted with satisfaction that during the passed years successful cooperation had been formed within the framework of the international organizations between Armenia and Korea, which was conditioned by the mutual support. He noted that Armenia highlighted the approaches of friendly countries in the peaceful settlement of NK conflict and expressed hope that South Korea would retain its balanced position. Korea has permanently shown unbiased stance during the discussions over Nagorno Karabakh in UN, voting “abstain” to the proposals made by Azerbaijan. Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan noted that we shared the concern of Korea in connection with the establishment of security, stability in the region, stressing that Armenia was also for the peaceful settlement of the conflicts and in this context he underlined once again that the solution of the NK problem through peaceful negotiation had no alternative.
Touching upon the regional problems the NA Speaker of Korea noted that the failure of the frozen process of the nuclear program, as well as the nuclear experiments, which were carried out this year, impede the security and stable development of the region. He expressed hope that the problems would be regulated through six-sided negotiations.
During the meeting an agreement was reached that the Korean side would demonstrate technical support to the Armenian Parliament and equip the session hall with new technique.
At the end of the meeting the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia invited the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to make an official visit to Armenia, and the invitation was gladly accepted.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan and the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Mr. Kim Hyong-O signed a Memorandum of Understanding for further development of friendly relations and cooperation between two parliaments and strengthening them.
It was particularly mentioned in the memorandum that the Parties agree that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Armenia for 17 years, the bilateral friendly relations and cooperation shall be further strengthened on successive, secure and stable bases. They affirm their aspiration to bring into action all the agreements between the parliaments of two countries for the benefit of the Korean-Armenian friendship and new achievements of cooperation. The Parties are in agreement that the inter-parliamentary ties are an important component of inter-state relations and the intensification of contacts with respect of parliaments, both in bilateral and multilateral formats, shall contribute to the strengthening of mutual understanding and confidence, expansion of the framework of shared views and development of cooperation between the states. The Parties affirm their commitment to coordinate their positions on bilateral relations between the parliaments and on international issues through consultations.
According to the Memorandum, an agreement was reached to promote and contribute through joint efforts: to the multilateral, multilevel and multiform cooperation between the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia; to the high level contacts between the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia; to the cooperation between relevant parliamentary committees and to the exchange of lawmaking experience in such spheres as human rights, commerce, agriculture, energy, education, culture, environment; to the further development of ties between the parliamentary friendship groups and establishment of close partnership relations between parliamentarians of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.
It was mentioned in the Memorandum that the signing Parties agree to enhance the interaction between two parliaments in mutually important international issues, to support frequent meetings and consultations between the delegations of Parties during international conferences and other international events.
After signing the agreement the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan and the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Mr. Kim Hyong-O had a briefing for the journalists.
On the same day the President of the GS Group Company Mr. Huh Chang Soo hosted the RA NA Speaker Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan and the delegation members.
The GS Group Company is a huge organization, which comprises numerous big, medium and small companies. The company has 48 different branches, and it has numerous representations in many countries of the world. Year by year the GS Group Company develops more and more, and it occupies more leading positions in the sphere of industry and trade of the world. The GS Engineering and Construction Company in Yerevan, which is the branch of the GS Group Company, carries out the construction works of the energy block with combined cycle cogeneration of Yerevan Thermal Power Station. It is envisaged that the end of the construction of the power station and its operation will be in April 2010. In general, 240-250mln USD will be allocated for the implementation of the project.
Welcoming the delegation led by RA NA Speaker Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan, the President of the GS Group Company highly assessed the visit of the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament and noted that he was aware of the memorandum signing, stressing that it was an important step in developing the cooperation in different spheres. He thanked Mr. Abrahamyan for supporting the entry of their company to Armenia and expressed conviction that the company would expand its activity in Armenia.
Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan noted that Armenia emphasized the expansion of economic cooperation with the Republic of Korea, and in that context – the cooperation with one of the biggest private companies of the South Korea, GS Group Company. Highly assessing the effective activity of the Company in Armenia he expressed hope that the cooperation of Armenia and GS Group Company would be continuous and expressed willingness to support in developing the cooperation. He considered necessary with that purpose the establishment of direct contacts of the businessmen and the creation of joint enterprises.