ArmInfo. The Armenian government held a working discussion on the EU assistance package in the amount of 2.6 billion euros under the chairmanship of RA Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Lawrence Meredith, Director for Neighbourhood East in the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission.
According to the press service of the government, the meeting was attended by the head of the EU delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Head of European Investment Bank (EIB) Regional Representation for the South Caucasus Maciej Czura, Head of EBRD Armenia Office Dimitri Gvindadze, EU and RA officials.
At the start of the discussion, the Deputy Prime Minister thanked the partners and stressed that this working discussion would initiate negotiations on specific targets developed by the Government in accordance with the guidelines set out under the EU Aid Package.
Deputy Prime Minister's Advisor Mane Adamyan presented to the meeting participants the guidelines proposed by the government, their main components, indicative expenses. During the discussion, the sequence of joint steps aimed at effective implementation of programs and possible mechanisms for financing investments was clarified.
To recall, in July 2021, after a meeting with then acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, head of the European Council Charles Michel confirmed Brussels' readiness to provide Armenia with financial assistance in the amount of 2.6 billion euros. These funds should be directed to infrastructure development and democratic reforms, Michel said. The EU proposed to pay attention to five priority programs in the areas, the reform of which can significantly change the situation for the residents of Armenia over the next 4-5 years. According to the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, these programs presuppose economic growth, creation of new jobs, and a strong economy. The funds will be used to support SMEs, to promote social and economic development and the development of communications, the construction of the North-South highway, investments in information technologies, and the strengthening of the southern regions of Armenia.