ARMENIA, LEBANON TO BOOST COOPERATION

YEREVAN, April 2, 2004. (RIA Novosti) -- Armenia and Lebanon are to develop cooperation in all spheres. Several intergovernmental agreements were signed at the session of the Armenian-Lebanese intergovernmental commission. It was held as part of the visit to Armenia by a Lebanese delegation headed by Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, the Armenian government's staff said.

Armenian and Lebanese Culture Ministers Tamara Pogosyan and Ghazi Aridi signed a business cooperation program in the youth and culture spheres for 2004-2007. Armenian Education and Science Minister Sergo Eritsyan and Lebanese Education Minister Samir Al-Jisr signed an intergovernmental program on science and education cooperation for 2004-2007. Finally, Armenian Agriculture Minister David Lokyan and Lebanese Minister of Economy Marwan Hamadeh signed an agreement on agricultural cooperation.

After the signing ceremony Lebanon's Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri said that his country is interested in the development of economic cooperation with Armenia and growth of bilateral trade turnover.

The Lebanese delegation headed by the Prime Minister arrived in Armenia on an official visit yesterday at an invitation from Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markarayn. This is Mr. Hariri'd third visit to Armenia.