Armenian president meets with Greek parliament speaker and premier

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan who is on an official visit to Greece met Wednesday with the Greek parliament speaker Filippos Petsalnikos.

The parties discussed issues concerning the strengthening and development of bilateral inter-parliamentary ties. Stressing the role of parliamentary diplomacy, they both attached importance of establishing a closer cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies and increasing the role of the Armenia-Greece parliamentary friendship group in activating mutual visits between parliamentary delegations.

Sargsyan expressed his gratitude for warm reception, adding that his meeting and discussions with Greek President Karlos Populias had been very effective.

Petsalnikos handed to the Armenian president a golden medal featuring the portrait of Pericles, the founder of democracy in Ancient Athens.

At a meeting with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, Sargsyan highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral economic ties and taking more active efforts towards developing trade between the two countries.

The parties agreed that the Armenian-Greek business forum taking place in Athens would enable both countries' business circles to find new spheres of mutual interest and establish a mutually beneficial cooperation.

Papandreu stressed the role of the Armenia-EU agreement which had been signed thanks to his country's mediatory efforts.
He expressed hope that Armenian president's working visit to Greece would contribute to the broadening and further strengthening of Armenian-Greek political and economic relations.

After the meeting, the Armenian leader had an official lunch with Papandreu.