Political scientist: EU contributes to the transformation of Armenia  into a transit country

ArmInfo.Considering the directions proposed by the European Union for investing the provided financial resources, it becomes clear that one of the main goals of  this support program is to turn Armenia into a transit country. Head  of the Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation  (ACGRC) Stepan Grigoryan expressed this opinion to ArmInfo.

"The direction of these programs is quite clearly manifested: to  stimulate the socio-economic development of Armenia, support the  completion of the construction of the North-South transport corridor,  the development of the south of the country in general. Thus, by  stimulating the development of the communication component of our  economy, the European Union gives Armenia the opportunity to become a  transit country, with all the attendant and resulting benefits and  opportunities, "he said.  

Being in Armenia on Friday, Oliver Varhelyi , the EU Commissioner for  Neighbourhood and Enlargement, announced the intention of Brussels to  increase the package of financial assistance to Armenia from 1.5 to  2.6 billion euros. It is assumed that the provided financing will go  to the implementation of five priority programs in order to achieve  economic growth,  generate employment, and support the economic  development of Armenia. The funds will be directed to support SMEs,  to promote socio-economic development and the development of  communications, the construction of the North-South highway, in the  field of information technology, strengthening the southern regions  of Armenia, in general.

In general, the political scientist considers the 5 points of the EU  support program as closely intertwined, interconnected and aimed at  the overall development of the country in accordance with the  Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement concluded between  Armenia and the EU. At the same time, he considers it important that  Brussels is ready to increase funding for the implementation of these  programs from 1.5 to 2.6 billion euros, especially taking into  account the emergence of new security problems in Armenia.

In this light, Grigoryan stressed that, for example, by generating  new jobs in the southern regions of the country, it will be possible  to keep people from labor or even permanent migration. The  construction of new roads and communications, separating the  population of Syunik from the newly-born neighbors - Azerbaijanis,  will significantly reduce the level of tension in the region as a  whole. Communications far from the border with Azerbaijan, in his  opinion, will make the local population feel safe in the first place.   And only then they will ensure the safety of movement for the rest of  the citizens of the country.  

"I can state that there simply could not be a better period for  providing such friendly assistance. Our country is really in a very  difficult situation today. It is also clear that all these programs  were approved in close cooperation with the Armenian government. And  it was its calls that played a significant role in the fact that this  support, so important for all of us, was provided right now.  Moreover, I hope that EU assistance will become a message to some  countries that, at first glance, should be the first to support  Armenia. And this will find its practical expression, " Grigoryan  summed up.