EU supports the reform of the judicial system in Armenia and is ready to provide financial assistance

ArmInfo. The decision to grant  Armenia an additional 25 million euros is political and reflects the  EU's positive assessment of the democratic changes taking place in  the country.  The head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Ambassador  Piotr Switalski told journalists on June 16 touching upon the  provision of 25 million euros for the reform of the judicial system.   According to him, at present the issue is being discussed with the  Government of Armenia in which area these funds will be directed.  "This needs to be done quickly, because it is an urgent amount, and  these  25 million must be quickly allocated for a specific purpose,"  he said.

He recalled the words of the head of EU diplomacy Federica Mogherini,  that the European Union supports judicial reforms in Armenia, and is  ready to provide assistance. "We are awaiting the decision of the  government, comprehensive and clear programs and approaches,"  Switalski said, adding that significant amounts are planned for  reforms in the justice system. "This is entirely a government  initiative, and we are waiting for it to say how it is going to  implement the reform and what assistance it expects from the  international community," he explained.

Responding to a question about EU cooperation with the new government  of Armenia, the ambassador said: "You want to make me answer as  Federica Mogherini:" We have excellent relations with this  government, and we are satisfied with our progress on a mutual  agenda. "

To note, earlier, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, speaking  of reforms in the sphere of justice, pointed out that it is  impossible to achieve success in the field if the salaries of judges  are not increased.  According to him, the state funds will be  suffiecient for this increase, but the "people" will not understand  if today the government increases the salaries of judges. In this  issue, according to Pashinyan, Armenia hopes for the assistance of  international partners who will finance the increase, and after a few  years, when the public sees the "fruits" of the work of a truly  independent, fair judicial system, the Armenian government will be  ready to pay for the "labor" of representatives of the judiciary  system.