YEREVAN: The first Federal-led Australian Delegation to Armenia began important dialogues with the Republic of Armenia’s Ministries of Infrastructure and Health, as well as the Judiciary, during meetings in Yerevan, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).
The Australian Delegation to Armenia included three Federal Australian parliamentarians – Mr. Tim Wilson MP, Mr. John Alexander MP and Mr. Trent Zimmerman MP, one State parliamentarian from New South Wales – Dr. Hugh McDermott MP, and five Armenian-Australian business leaders.
Mr. Alexander – who is the Chair of the Australian Parliament’s House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities – met with Armenia’s Deputy Minister for Territorial Development and Infrastructure Mr. Vache Terteryan.
They discussed the infrastructure challenges facing both Armenia and Australia, and learned of striking similarities in key areas of interest, promising continued dialogue which could benefit both countries.
Mr. Zimmerman – who is the Chair of the Australian Parliament’s House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Ageing and Sport – met with Armenia’s Deputy Minister for Health Ms. Anahit Avanesyan.
The two discussed the key health agenda on the table of both countries, with Mr. Zimmerman offering to continue dialogue to assist Armenia in implementing policies Australia has had experience practicing over many years.
New South Wales Parliamentarian Dr. McDermott – who is an expert on anti-corruption and money-laundering with experience working in Australia, the United Kingdom and the Cayman Islands – met with Mr. Hayk Hovhannisyan, who is a Member of Armenia’s Supreme Judicial Council.
Mr. Hovhannisyan shared the post-revolution challenges engulfing Armenia’s judiciary, and the two discussed their experiences and exchanged ideas which could benefit Yerevan.
ANC-AU Executive Director, Haig Kayserian welcomed the dialogue.
“The Australian parliamentarians within our delegation were all willing participants in this high-level exchange of ideas, and we are convinced this is the beginning of a direct dialogue that will yield tangible outcomes for both countries, particularly an Armenia trying to transition to democracy,” said Kayserian.
There were also important meetings in the areas of Economy, Education and Justice.
