Friday, 12 August 2005
Today RA Minister, Chief of Government Staff Mr. Manouk Topouzyan has had a meeting with the delegation headed by State Secretary of the Office of Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden Mr. Lars Danielsson Gunnar, which comprised Chief of Prime Minister's Staff Ms. Helen Maria Edwards, First Secretary of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bjom Douglas Fagerberg and Adviser to Prime Minister for Political Affairs Ms. Elizabeth Danielsson.
Desirous of getting acquainted with the activities of the Armenian legislature and executive and the system of public governance as a whole, as well as being informed on the progress made in EU-Armenia collaboration along with Armenia's involvement in eventual programs of cooperation developed under the European Neighborhood Policy, the members of the Swedish delegation, first of all, briefed Mr. Topouzyan on the outcome and the range of issues discussed at the meetings had at the National Assembly and the ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs. The guests took an interest in the pace of constitutional reforms and the new draft of amendments, in particular. Asked by Mr. Danielsson Gunnar, Minister Topouzyan spoke of the judicial reform and the existing problems, including issues relating to gender equality and social promotion of women, RA government economic policies and priorities. The Swedish officials inquired into the programs and approaches implemented by the government in the energy sector in general and for safety enhancements at the ANPP in particular as, according to them, these items had been high on the political agenda of Sweden quite recently.
The State Secretary of the Office of Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden said that his country was prepared to extend consultative support in this matter, if necessary. Also, he presented the Swedish know-how in a number of fields that might be useful to Armenia at this stage of reforms.
