Head of Armenian government suggested EIB partners to consider the possibility of implementing operations in Armenia in local currency

ArmInfo. Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received on November 30 the vice-president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Vasil Hudak. The head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Ambassador Pior Switalski also attended the meeting.

According to the press service of the government, Karen Karapetyan noted the importance of the "Agreement on comprehensive and expanded partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union" signed in Brussels, which creates new opportunities for interaction between the parties.  He stressed the importance of implementing joint programs with the EIB in the fields of energy, transport, water supply, solid waste management, SME finance, etc.

Armenian PM suggested that the EIB partners consider the possibility of implementation operations in Armenia in local currency.

Taking into account the effectiveness of the program of modernization of checkpoints on the northern border of Armenia, Karen Karapetyan expressed hope for cooperation with the EIB and the European Commission and the program of modernization of the Meghri customs point. In turn, Vazil Hudak called effective programs in Armenia financed by the EIB. He also reported that he got acquainted with the progress in the reconstruction of the M6-Vanadzor-Alaverdi-Georgia highway, and the program for upgrading the Bagratashen border checkpoint. The Vice President of the European Investment Bank said that he was impressed with the work done and still in the process, adding that the bank is ready to expand cooperation in the direction of building the North-South highway, improving road safety, energy saving, and attracting cheap and long-term loans for SMEs.

Earlier it was reported that the European Investment Bank intends to invest about 212 million EUR in Armenia. Moreover, only in the past three years the EIB has significantly increased the amount of investments in Armenia. The cooperation of the bank with Armenia is based on three priority areas: energy supply, development and support of infrastructures, support for SMEs.