ArmInfo.Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan received on March 19 the Director of the Eastern Partnership Department of the Directorate General of the European Commission for Neighborhood Policy and Negotiations of the EU Enlargement Lawrence Meredith. According to the Government of Armenia, the meeting was attended by the head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Ambassador Peter Svitski.
Welcoming the guests, the Deputy Prime Minister highly appreciated the assistance provided by the European Union to Armenia, and expressed the hope that the Armenia-EU cooperation by joint efforts would develop and expand. Referring to the recent visit of the Prime Minister to Brussels, the Deputy Prime Minister noted the importance of working together on the agreements reached.At the beginning of the meeting, Mher Grigoryan presented the priorities of the government program and stressed that they comply with the Agreement on a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership between Armenia and the EU. The Vice Premier expressed his conviction that the agreement is not only a document on cooperation, but also a reform program in Armenia, within the framework of which sectoral strategies should be developed.
The Deputy Head of Government emphasized the importance of implementing reforms envisaged, in particular, in the areas of infrastructure development, environmental protection, energy conservation, human rights and capital protection. Speaking about the development of infrastructure, Mher Grigoryan emphasized the need to modernize roads, manage water resources and develop energy. As another important area of reform, the Deputy Prime Minister noted reforms in the field of justice aimed at improving the efficiency and transparency of legal proceedings. Congratulating on the formation of the new government, Lawrence Meredith noted with satisfaction the focus of the Armenian government on reforms. He presented the main EU assistance instruments that can be used to more effectively implement the planned reforms in various areas of Armenia. Lawrence Meredith noted that he personally, the EU Ambassador to Armenia and the team of the EU Delegation are ready to support Armenia at this important stage. The interlocutors exchanged views on the development opportunities of Armenia and noted that Armenia has great potential for development, including tourism.