Piotr Switalsky: investors from EU ready to discuss fixed programs

ArmInfo. The European Union is ready to provide substantive assistance in the implementation of its Armenian government programs, including in the framework of the provisional application of the Agreement on Comprehensive and  Enhanced Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the EU. This  was stated by the head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Ambassador  Piotr Switalsky on June 5 at a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan.

As the press service of the Armenian government reports, during the  meeting Nikol Pashinyan noted that the consistent development of  relations with the EU among the priorities of the Armenian  government. As the Armenian premier noted, the recent events in  Armenia significantly influenced the strengthening and development of  the norms of democracy in the republic. The favorable atmosphere  created, Pashinyan stressed, will become a new impetus for the  implementation of fundamental changes and reforms in various fields.

According to the head of government, the number one task of the  executive body of Armenia is the fight against corruption, the  development of democratic institutions and the consistent improvement  of the business environment, including by improving the level of  investment protection and the fight against monopolies. "We are  determined in our intentions to implement the planned plans in order  to fix concrete results," he stressed.

Ambassador Switalsky, in turn, said that he sees good prospects for  attracting European investments to Armenia, especially in the  framework of implementing various programs based on public-private  partnership. According to the European diplomat, investors from the  EU are ready to discuss specific programs.

During the meeting, the interlocutors also touched upon the conduct  of parliamentary elections, the reforms of the Electoral Code, as  well as the issues of the Armenia-EU mutual agenda.

Earlier, ArmInfo informed that according to the data of the National  Statistical Service of Armenia, for the 2017th year the net flow of  investments amounted to $ 404.2 million, against $ 1 billion 216.5  million in 2016. FDI in 2017 was $ 245.7 million (a decline of 27.3%)  Net flow of portfolio investment in the past year was fixed at minus  $ 56.8 million (- $ 113.7 million, the outflow exceeded inflows),  other investments declined $ 821.4 million - up to $ 215.3 million.  According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Investment, the  accumulated volume of foreign investments received in the real sector  of the economy of Armenia as of July 1, 2017 amounted to $ 13.98  billion, of which $ 7.636 billion - FDI. The championship is held by  Russia - $ 5.083 billion, followed by Germany - $ 1.505 billion,  Cyprus - $ 1.056 billion and France - $ 1.055 billion.