YEREVAN. - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan addressed the First Armenian-Russian forum on interregional cooperation.

According to him, such a large-scale gathering of the heads of central and regional government bodies of Russia and Armenia, representatives of business community and public in Yerevan is being held for the first time in Armenia. However, it is not the only factor that accounts for interest in the forum. The primary reason is a special nature of Armenian-Russian partnership and people’s sincere willingness for further development of close contacts and old friendship, the Armenian leader said.

Regular meetings with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, constant contacts at all levels of bilateral cooperation once again corroborate the sides` willingness to develop relations in political, economic and humanitarian fields.

“I am sure that frequent meetings and packed agenda are indicative of the sides` willingness to develop constructive foreign policy cooperation, combine efforts within international agencies and increase bilateral trade,” the Armenian president said.

About 1,400 enterprises, shared by Armenian and Russian capital, or solely owned by Russian capital, are operating in Armenia. The investment portfolio is reaching $3 billion. The figures are showing an upward tendency while the global economy has not yet overcome the crisis. It is obvious that the potential is greater than the present results, the Armenian leader said.

The development of Russian-Armenian regional cooperation shows potential and prospects. All the Armenian regions and over 70 federal subjects of Russia are involved in interregional cooperation. It means that this is a necessary platform facilitating practical solutions and giving impetus to new investments and technologies, as well as to development of innovations, President Sargsyan said.

Armenian-Russian ties in the fields of culture and education, health care and tourism are developing, which enables the two nations to preserve and augment their spiritual heritage and enrich their relations. Armenia and Russia have developed air communication, and Russian tourists in Armenia feel comfortable.

“I consider it necessary to work out mechanisms of developing the tourist industry, with elements of cultural, historical and ecotourism,” the Armenian leader added.

One more area of Armenian-Russian interregional cooperation is joint enterprises, especially ones developing and producing advanced technologies and standards, President Sargsyan believes. Regional authorities and business communities should pay attention to this field.

“I stated recently that the Armenian Government was creating special conditions for innovation enterprises, and we would be glad to consider the Russian side’s relevant proposals,” the Armenian president said.

New ideas and scientific projects that can well be implemented at regional levels must not fall victim to bureaucratic gridlock.

“I think today’s forum is also significant due to joint search for mutually acceptable models and effective ways of business partnership,” the Armenian leader said. “We hope the forum will become a regular one, and we will record larger-scale interregional cooperation.”

This is a practical forum and evidence thereof is an exhibition being held on the margins of it, as well as agreements being signed, President Serzh Sargsyan said. The Armenian leader wished all the Armenian regions and Russian federal subjects efficient cooperation to the two nations’ benefit.