ArmInfo. The head of the EU delegation in Armenia Piotr Switalski expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation with the new government of Armenia. Thus, during a press tour to Akhavnadzor, the diplomat stated that the Armenian government on the issue of cooperation with the EU demonstrates flexibility and pragmatism.
At the same time, the Ambassador informed that the EU proposed to the Government of Armenia, after internal political changes, to reconsider all the previously discussed programs. "We understand that the new government was extremely busy in the summer. However, I can say that the action plan for 2018 mainly reflects the work we did earlier. The new team proposed some changes that were acceptable to us," the diplomat said, adding that the action plan for 2019 is already being discussed.
At the same time, Switalski believes that the current government of Armenia outlined rather broad boundaries of the priorities of activity. "The European Union has proposed the government to revise the budget assistance programs. This is unprecedented since we usually do not resort to such actions under new governments," he said.
According to Switalski, this step is due to the fact that the EU understands that changes have taken place, the Armenian government has provided new documents on the development of various areas. According to him, the European Union is satisfied with these documents, and their first impressions are positive, they are acceptable to the EU. The Ambassador also expressed the hope that successful steps are being taken for cooperation. To note since 2014, the European Union has provided Armenia with financial assistance in the amount of about 120 million euros. The focus was put on economic development, innovation and personal development, strengthening the rule of law and developing the business environment. The EU also assisted in the field of elections and the development of international relations. Armenia also received funding to participate in multilateral projects. The development of transport infrastructure and an energy efficiency improvement program was carried out within the framework of the Neighborhood Investment Fund. Further support of the EU is aimed at achieving concrete assistance to citizens of the country in such areas as legal reform, access to financial and economic development, development of relations, education and mobility. Since 2014, Armenia has received 70 million euros as grants through the Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF), which led to an investment of 412 million euros in the country.
The EU is the main export market of Armenia and the second largest source of imports (the EU's share in Armenia's exports is 26% and 22% in imports). In 2016, EU imports from Armenia were estimated at 200 million euros, and exports from the EU to Armenia EUR 600 million. The largest volume of exports from Armenia to the EU comes from metals and diamonds. The main export items from the EU to Armenia are: engineering products, transportation equipment, various industrial products, including products from the chemical industry.