Of importance is not only Syunik`s development, but also its security - Anne Louyot

ArmInfo. Of importance is not  only Syunik's development, but also its security, French Ambassador  to Armenia Anne Louyot told a press conference on the occasion of  Europe Day 2023. 

In presenting programmes France is implementing as part of the  Resilient Syunik Team Europe, she singled out energy efficiency and  road construction, strengthening local government through  decentralized cooperation and cooperation with NGOs in healthcare and  agriculture. Nine more countries are involved in the initiative  (Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Finland, Austria,  Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden) and, as an external partner, Switzerland. 

German Ambassador to Armenia Viktor Richter stressed that Syunik is  not just an Armenian province, but a region of many challenges facing  Armenia. 

And this is the reason why Syunik must be strengthened, which task  the EU is carrying out, with the German Agency for International  Cooperation (GIZ) being involved as well. Germany is seeking to  realize initiatives aimed at sustainable economic development,  environmental protection, local infrastructure development and  assistance to local government bodies. Germany is also realizing  initiatives in cooperation with other states - services offices in  Goris, Sisian, Tatev, Kajaran, Horayk, Kapan, Meghri, Tegh, Mr  Richter said.  

He also emphasized women's role and assistance to young people and  vulnerable sections of population. 

Czech Ambassador to Armenia Petr PiruncЎk pointed out the Czech  Republic's modest share in the ?eam Europe initiatives. The country  is involved in only one programme, but a most interesting one, he  said. The main goal of the transition is gender equality. 

The Czech Republic is assisting two independent Armenian media  outlets by opening offices in Gyumri for them. The best way of coping  with the situation in Armenia, particularly in Syunik, is being  better informed, that is, getting first-hand information. And the  Czech Republic is willing to contribute to achieving this goal. 

Dutch Ambassador to Armenia Nico Schermers announced an increase in  the budget for implementation of programmes in Syunik. The funds will  be allocated for larger-scale projects in agriculture, IT, gender  equality and rule of law.  It is important that Europe is here and  demonstrates it is beside Syunik, an important part of Armenia, Mr  Schermers said. 

Lithuanian Charge D'Affaires Vismante Dailidenaite announced the  plans to implement a programme in the Tegh community. Lithuania is  not a major donor, but it is happy to assist in two aspects -  problems of residents in border settlements after the 2020 war and  irrigation system in the Tegh community.  Ms Dailidenaite expressed  hope for improvement of socio-economic conditions and reiterated  Lithuania's commitment to territorial integrity, sovereignty and  prosperous future of Armenia. 

Swiss Ambassador Lukas Rosenkranz stressed that Syunik has been a  geographical priority for Switzerland since 2006. 

Switzerland will focus on four aspects: educational reforms,  particularly professional training in the agricultural sector, more  transparent activities of local government bodies, economic  rehabilitation of border settlements and environmental protection.  

  On 18 January, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador  Andrea Wiktorin, together with Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher  Grigoryan, Ambassador of Sweden to Armenia Patrik Svensson,  Ambassador of France to Armenia Anne Louyot, Ambassador of Germany to  Armenia Viktor Richter, Ambassador of Poland to Armenia Pawel  Cieplak, Ambassador of Switzerland to Armenia Lukas Rosenkranz, Head  of Austrian Coordination Office in Yerevan Klaus Kapper, Head of the  European Investment Bank Regional Representation for the South  Caucasus Maciej Czura, Governor of Syunik region Robert Ghukasyan,  Head of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus & Eastern Partnership  Coordination Unit at European Commission Directorate General for  Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations David Cullen, launched the  Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative.

The launch event was concluded with signature of two contracts for  projects to be implemented under the Resilient Syunik Team Europe  Initiative.  

The "R2D Syunik: Recovery, Resilience, Development for Syunik''  project is co-funded by the European Union and the Austrian  Development Cooperation and implemented by the Austrian Development  Agency. The EUR 11 mln project aims to enhance competitiveness of  micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and to support  rehabilitation of sustainable small-scale community infrastructure in  Syunik. Implementation of the 60 months long project starts in  January 2023.

The "Partnerships for Syunik. Enhanced Community-based Social  Services'' project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented  by People in Need, Caritas Armenia and Winnet Armenia. The EUR 1.6  mln project aims to contribute to delivery of financially sustainable  community-based social services in Syunik through effective  cooperation of civil society and local authorities. Implementation of  the 36 months long project starts in February 2023.