Tuesday, 6 April 2010
A memorandum of understanding signed on the national indicative program
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation from the European Union, led by EU Commissionaire for Expansion and Neighborhood Policy Affairs Stefan Fulle. The delegation is in Armenia as part of its regional visit.
In his greeting remarks, the Prime Minister stated in part: “You have come with an important mission. Each program of cooperation with the European Union has been discussed in all detail. We are pleased with the pace of these programs. At the same time, we understand that there is still much to do and much more could have been done in this respect. Those areas stipulated in the program of Eastern Partnership meet Armenia’s interests and are of top importance to the developments of our country.”
Mr. Fulle said the EU is interested in Armenia’s social and economic development. He stressed that the establishment of new contractual relationship between Armenia and the Union will make it possible to review and reassess the programs implemented so far and look at the possibility of shaping closer ties of interaction in future.
The parties discussed the national indicative program to be effective in 2011-2013 on the sidelines of the Eastern Partnership Program. The head of the Armenian government said to be highly appreciative of this program which is expected to step up the pace of reform. The Prime Minister made a point of strengthening democratic institutions and a system of good governance in the country. This may help curb corruption, boost small and medium-size enterprise and promote transparency in the dealings of major businesses. The signing of a deeper and comprehensive free trade arrangement was said to be another priority implying a new round of reform over the next 3 years. Steps toward social and economic reform and sustainable development constitute a third priority.
The head of government stressed that the aforementioned 3 priority areas at the heart of the indicative program stem from the logic of government programs.
The activity of the advisory group of the European Union was appreciated on either side.
After the meeting, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and the EU Commissionaire for Expansion and Neighborhood Policy Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding on the national indicative program for the period of 2011-2013. Euro 157mn worth of overall financial assistance will be made available to Armenia for cooperation purposes under this European Commission-approved indicative program.
