EU ready to assist Armenia but expects co-funding by Armenia: Pashinyan

Armenia enters into stage of implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Agreement with the EU, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at the cabinet sitting today, referring to his visit to Brussels.

“It has been registered in Brussels that the EU is absolutely ready to support Armenia in the implementation of reforms,” the PM said.

There is no geopolitical agenda either for Armenia or the EU in this cooperation which is very important in this system.

“But there is one sensitive issue upon which we must make important decisions soon. The issue is that we have discussed few mega-projects with the EU, the first of which refers to traffic and transport infrastructures, roads and their correspondance to European criteria. A decision is also to be made over North-South,” Pashinyan said.

He also referred to the creation of water cleaning stations, saying that it is necessary to first of all create them for Sevan lake and Hrazdan River.

The next issue, according to the PM is the construction of schools in accordance with the highest standards of seismic protection and contemporary educational standards.

“We must also implement serious programs in the justice sector too,” Pashinyan said.

He stressed that today’s penitentiary system is not sufficient to the standards of new Armenia.

“The EU has expressed readiness to assist Armenia. But the issue is that being ready to assist Armenia, the EU is not ready for 100% funding  and expects Armenia to have its share of investments,” the PM said, adding that it is important to raise state incomes and attract foreign funds.

“Today we must answer two questions, whether we can create guarantees for targeted spending of the state and loan means and if yes, which is the borderline to keep the state debt under control for it to be beneficial for Armenia and not harm the country?” the PM said.

Pashinyan also noted that they have initial arrangement to discuss the issue with the Central Bank and if they come to certain conclusion corresponding discussions be held in the NA.