23 million euro grant project approved by incumbent government initiated yet in 2016

During its regular cabinet sitting the government approved the proposal to sign 23 million euro loan agreement with the KfW Development Bank for biodiversity and stable local development project.

While briefing on the project acting nature protection minister Erik Grigoryan said the program will ensure preservation and stable usage of natural resources in territories rich in biodiversity.

The 23 million euro grant, though, has been received as a result of negotiations conducted by previous government.

In an interview to Aysor.am former nature protection minister Artsvik Minasyan said while in the mentioned office he was involved in the development, discussions and negotiations over the grant program and was the main responsible for the program.

He said he passed the responsibility for professional issues of the project to current minister, that time deputy minister Erik Grigoryan. Minasyan said the grant has been provided by the German government within the framework of Armenian-German financial cooperation. The funding will be implemented by KfW Development Bank.

Speaking about the goal of the project, Minasyan said that it is aimed at preservation of biodiversity and development of communities. He said essential investments for ensuring the development of eco tourism, forestry, natural resources as well as development of nearby communities will be made.

The former minister said the structure responsible for the implementation of the project is Nature Protection Ministry, the Ministry of Finance will be the grant receiver.

As to when the negotiations over receiving the grant launched, Minasyan said the talks launched yet in 2016 but discussions intensified in 2017-2018.

“It was a result of team work, and I had an honor to work in the establishment that time and coordinate the work of the team being Nature Protection Minister,” he said, adding that preparation, discussions over such wide-scale project take not days or months but years.

“I am very happy with the recent developments, I wish all my former colleagues success in the implementation of the project, and I am proud to have my modest contribution to the planning and receiving the grant,” he said.