Republican Party of Armenia

Within the official visit to the NKR Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan had a meeting with the Mayor of Stepanakert Suren Grigoryan, discussed the work performed within the framework of the agreement signed in September 2012 related to deepening the relationship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two capitals as well as the further programs.
Greeting Taron Margaryan, Suren Grigoryan first of all expressed gratitude for the visit and noted that the capital of the NKR develops the tightest and the most purposeful cooperation with Yerevan. "Today Stepanakert cooperates with a number of cities but this is the first time that in such a short period such notable results have been recorded and big progress has been recorded in more effective management of the city economy and for this we are grateful to you, Mr. Margaryan, for your permanent attention and consistence in the issue of implementation of the programs", said the Mayor of Stepanakert.
In his turn Mayor Taron Margaryan expressed gratitude for warm welcome and said that the Municipality of Yerevan is always willing to share its experience with Stepanakert and to show support in the implementation of new and interesting projects. "Stepanakert is not only a sister city for us but a native hearth as well so it means that the bilateral cooperation should be caring and purposeful. The activity of the formed working group was really effective during these six months, however we should be satisfied with the achievements and go on active cooperation; we should promote expansion and strengthening of ties with Stepanakert", stressed Taron Margaryan and in this context, suggested attracting youth and non-governmental structures in city management following the example of Nature protection and Art commissions of the Urban Development Council adjunct to the Mayor of Yerevan..
The possibilities of taking practical steps aimed at health care, education, urban development, sport and tourism development were discussed as well.
Referring to the activities directed particularly at tourism development, Taron Margaryan outlined the proposal of holding the festival called "Zhengyalov hats" ("Bread with potherbs"), as well as noted that it had already been instructed to place in Yerevan posterns advertising the sights of Artsakh, besides, to provide on the official website of the Municipality a corresponding link to the website of the Department of Tourism of the NKR.
The Mayor also informed that within the framework of cooperation provided for 2013, in April professional physicians from various medical institutions subordinated to the Municipality of Yerevan will be sent with a mission to Stepanakert. The parties made an agreement to hold the next meeting in Yerevan.
The Mayor of Stepanakert Suren Grigoryan expressed gratitude to Taron Margaryan for granting benches with corresponding inscription and dustbins to the capital of Artsakh as a symbol of friendship between the cities. The benches and dustbins will be placed in the parks and recreation zones of Stepanakert.
The delegation headed by the Mayor of Yerevan accompanied by the Mayor of Stepanakert, visited the Memorial of the capital of the NKR, rendered the tribute of respect to the memory of the victims of the Great Patriotic War and the Artsakh Freedom Fight. Taron Margaryan also put flowers at the graves of the warriors fallen in Artsakh war.