ArmInfo. GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation) and the KfW German development bank will open local offices in Armenia. The corresponding agreement was signed on March 2 by Armenian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Armenia . Viktor Richter.
The Minister noted that this agreement opens a new page in the relations between Armenia and Germany. He emphasized that the offices will, in fact, have the status of diplomatic representations. , he said.
The Minister also noted that GIZ and KfW are the most active institutions operating in Armenia. In particular, he noted that the Bank is the largest creditor in the country, implementing numerous projects in the field of infrastructure development, energy, construction of reservoirs, etc. In this regard, Kerobyan recalled 2 major projects funded by KfW for the construction of the Kaps Reservoir and power lines from Armenia to Georgia. "We hope that these projects will soon enter the workflow," the head of the state department said. In turn, German Ambassador to Armenia added that over 25 years of cooperation with Armenia, the Bank has provided loans in the amount of 1.2 billion euros, which were used to implement programs in the field of water supply, energy, biodiversity, etc.
Speaking about GIZ, Vahan Kerobyan noted that the Organization's cooperation with Armenia is multi- sectoral. GIZ, according to him, provided assistance to Armenia in the field of tourism, innovation, agriculture, etc. . At the same time, the minister drew attention to the fact that the programs implemented in Armenia with the support of the latter have a positive impact on the well-being of people and areas where these interventions are carried out. The planned opening of permanent offices of GIZ and KfW in Armenia was announced in the summer of 2022 during a joint press conference of Vahan Kerobyan and the Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, Svenja Schulze . Negotiations on opening representative offices in Armenia lasted 12 years. After signing, the agreement must be ratified by the National Assembly.
