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ITAR-TASS, Russia
September 27, 2012 Thursday 11:35 PM GMT+4
EU, Armenia sign new financial agreements for reforms
YEREVAN September 27
EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy,
Stefan Fule, and Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, signed
two new financing agreements between the European Union and Armenia in
Yerevan on Thursday, September 27.
Totalling 43 million euros, the two agreements focus on institution
building and will support the negotiations and implementation of the
future EU-Armenia bilateral agreements: the Association Agreement and
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area and Visa
Facilitation/Readmission Agreement.
"I believe we are preparing the ground for an Armenia which is a state
with more citizen-friendly institutions, an attractive investment
destination and better conditions for those businesses which want to
take advantage of new market opportunities," Fule said after the
signing ceremony.
EU bilateral assistance to Armenia under the European Neighbourhood
Partnership Instrument is 157 million euros for 2011-2013, double the
amount for the previous period. On top of that, an additional 15
million euros have recently been allocated under the More for More
principle. "The more reforms Armenia carries out the more the EU will
be able to support it. Already today, EU support for Armenia has
reached unprecedented levels" Fule stated referring to the financial
allocation so far.
Through the financing agreements signed in Yerevan on Thursday, we
will support Armenia's Sustainable Development Programme, focusing on
several sector specific strategies such as Customs Administration,
Quality infrastructure, Food Safety and e-governance. The expected
results should have a direct bearing on the key milestones set for the
bilateral co-operation under the Eastern Partnership:
- Introduction of biometric passports will help Armenia to meet a key
condition of visa liberalisation;
- improved data protection will open the way to deepened co-operation
in justice, freedom and security;
- improvements in the legal framework for public procurement will help
Armenia along the road to new opportunities for tendering for public
contracts on European Union markets.
During the period 2011 - 2013, the EU's priority areas of cooperation
with Armenia focus on improving democratic structures and good
governance and facilitating trade, investment and socio-economic
reform.
The basis for the Financing Agreements signed today is the ENPI Annual
Action Programme 2011, worth 43.1 million euros and composed of two
actions:
"Framework Programme in support of the EU-Armenia agreement" worth
19.1 million euros and "Support to the Government of Armenia for the
implementation of the ENP Action Plan and the preparation for the
future Association Agreement" worth 24 million euros, the European
Commission said.
September 27, 2012 Thursday 11:35 PM GMT+4
EU, Armenia sign new financial agreements for reforms
YEREVAN September 27
EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy,
Stefan Fule, and Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, signed
two new financing agreements between the European Union and Armenia in
Yerevan on Thursday, September 27.
Totalling 43 million euros, the two agreements focus on institution
building and will support the negotiations and implementation of the
future EU-Armenia bilateral agreements: the Association Agreement and
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area and Visa
Facilitation/Readmission Agreement.
"I believe we are preparing the ground for an Armenia which is a state
with more citizen-friendly institutions, an attractive investment
destination and better conditions for those businesses which want to
take advantage of new market opportunities," Fule said after the
signing ceremony.
EU bilateral assistance to Armenia under the European Neighbourhood
Partnership Instrument is 157 million euros for 2011-2013, double the
amount for the previous period. On top of that, an additional 15
million euros have recently been allocated under the More for More
principle. "The more reforms Armenia carries out the more the EU will
be able to support it. Already today, EU support for Armenia has
reached unprecedented levels" Fule stated referring to the financial
allocation so far.
Through the financing agreements signed in Yerevan on Thursday, we
will support Armenia's Sustainable Development Programme, focusing on
several sector specific strategies such as Customs Administration,
Quality infrastructure, Food Safety and e-governance. The expected
results should have a direct bearing on the key milestones set for the
bilateral co-operation under the Eastern Partnership:
- Introduction of biometric passports will help Armenia to meet a key
condition of visa liberalisation;
- improved data protection will open the way to deepened co-operation
in justice, freedom and security;
- improvements in the legal framework for public procurement will help
Armenia along the road to new opportunities for tendering for public
contracts on European Union markets.
During the period 2011 - 2013, the EU's priority areas of cooperation
with Armenia focus on improving democratic structures and good
governance and facilitating trade, investment and socio-economic
reform.
The basis for the Financing Agreements signed today is the ENPI Annual
Action Programme 2011, worth 43.1 million euros and composed of two
actions:
"Framework Programme in support of the EU-Armenia agreement" worth
19.1 million euros and "Support to the Government of Armenia for the
implementation of the ENP Action Plan and the preparation for the
future Association Agreement" worth 24 million euros, the European
Commission said.