Lebanese - Armenian business conference opens in Beirut

The Lebanese - Armenian business conference opened in Beirut on Thursday. It was attended by Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and his Armenian counterpart, Armen Darbinyan.

In an inaugural speech Hariri called upon Lebanese businessmen to take Armenia as the center from where to start activities to the countries of the Caspian states, which possess great natural resources and potential. He asserted the need to strengthen economic relations between Lebanon and Armenia.

Hariri also underlined the importance of economic relations between Armenian businessmen of Lebanese origin in strengthening relations between the two countries.

The Armenian premier, for his part, stressed that the conference will provide a great incentive to deepen cooperation between Armenia, Lebanon and the Arab states in all areas. He invited Lebanese businessmen and Arab investors to take part in the commercial activities in Armenia. He hoped this conference will mark the beginning of new era of fruitful cooperation between the two countries.