Armenian deputy prime minister, EU officials discussed Syunik development projects

YEREVAN, December 15. /ARKA/. Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Lawrence Meredith, Head of the EC’s Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, discussed today in Brussels a set of issues pertaining to the development of Armenia’s southern region of Syunik, the Armenian government said.

Both sides emphasized the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between Armenia and EU. In this context Deputy Prime Minister Grigoryan underlined that a set of key reforms have already been enforced, saying also the CEPA remains an integral part of the reform program of the Armenian government.

While on a working visit to Brussels Grigoryan also met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Olivér Várhelyi. The interlocutors discussed the projects elaborated in the frames of the EU economic and investment assistance to Armenia.

In July, the European Union said it would allocate more than 1.5 billion euros to Armenia in the next 5 years for five key programs, including the development of Syunik region.

The money will be used to support 30,000 small and medium-sized businesses for a sustainable, innovative, competitive economy; to Promote socio-economic development and communication by supporting the North-South highway corridor, to invest in information technology, science and technology, to strengthen the resilience of the southern regions of Armenia and to invest in green Yerevan for energy efficiency and the launch of more environmentally friendly buses.

The first pilot project will provide € 500 million in assistance to 30,000 small and medium-sized businesses. -0-