2010 announced as the Year of Science and InnovationsNovember 19, 2010 - 15:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The CIS countries are on their way to overcome the slump in trade and economic relations, said Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at a session of the Council of the CIS Prime Ministers in St Petersburg. In his words, in January-August, the trade turnover within the CIS steeped about 30% to the total of $120 billion. “The figures are impressive. We are beginning to overcome the slump in our trade and investment relations,” the Russian prime minister said. The session is set to consider more than 20 issues. “We are to sum up and discuss the results of 2010, and draw up plans for the next year,” Vladimir Putin said. He also pointed out the necessity to work out auxiliary steps to develop direct links between the companies and organizations of the CIS member states. He believes that it can be done by opening exhibition booths at the Exhibition of Economic Achievements Center in Moscow. “We propose very profitable terms: fifty-year rent for one ruble per year,” Putin said. He also reminded that 2010 is the Year of Science and Innovations. The CIS countries should keep cooperating in this field. A new program of cooperation in innovations and humanitarian area has been developed. The interstate council for legal protection of the intellectual property will also boost the scientific ties between the CIS members, belta.by reported. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |