EU expects concrete ideas and proposals from Armenian government

ArmInfo. Armenia expects a much more serious attitude, meanwhile, has not itself revised its political agenda with the EU, Head of the EU delegation to Armenia Piotr Switalski expressed this opinion on July 16 commenting on the Prime Minister's words about the serious expectations of the Armenian side from European partners.

According to the European diplomat, the EU welcomes the changes in Armenia and is ready to assist the ongoing reforms. Switalski noted that this message was presented to the Armenian Prime Minister during Brussels meetings with the EU representatives. As the Ambassador pointed out the delegation of the European Union to Armenia, for its part, is ready to listen to the expectations of the Armenian government and do everything possible to provide concrete assistance to the Armenian people.

He noticed that Armenia expects institutional, technical and financial assistance from the EU, but in order to ensure progress, the European structures, in turn, should receive concrete proposals from Armenian partners. "The EU is determined to support the Armenian reforms, I periodically meet with government members and each time ask the question:" How can we help you? What do you expect from us? ", Since we need to have a comprehensive plan of the joint work", he said.

The EU realizes that the new government needs time - many ministers are "beginners" in government work.  At the same time, as Switalski pointed out, the EU is a "complex organization" and it is not easy for some officials and organizations to understand the essence of its work. For better understanding, according to the ambassador, seminar will be organized upcoming Saturday, and "new comers" will be given the opportunity to understand how to work with the EU and what instruments of assistance are available.

As of today, as Piotr Switalski stressed, the political and legal basis for Armenia-EU relations is the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA). If the Armenian government wishes to reconsider the partnership priorities that were agreed upon under the previous government, the European Union is ready to discuss these ideas. "We need concrete proposals and clarification of Armenia's expectations from the EU to jointly discuss and work with them more constructively," he said.

As for the financial assistance to Armenia from the EU, then, as the head of the delegation explained, it was determined for a 7-year period - 2013-2020. This period is divided into two sub-periods, and within the framework of the EU's joint assistance plan for the period 2018-2020 Armenia's financial assistance was increased by 25% (140-160 million euros). This figure, as the ambassador pointed out, is quite significant.  At the same time, Armenia can get more if it offers "working" programs. Switalski urged to remember that more than 50% of Armenia's external assistance comes from the EU, so, despite all the complexity of the procedures, the EU demonstrates much flexibility in relations with partner countries, Switalski emphasized.

To recall, on July 14, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan made an explanation about a statement made at the briefing at the Brussels airport on July 12, where he pointed out that democratic Armenia expects a much more serious relationship. "I said that after the revolution we heard a lot of welcoming statements from the EU, but there have not been any major changes in the policy, the situation is the same as 3-4 months ago, which means that either the level of enthusiasm of these statements should be reduced, or policy shoud be changed, "he said.