In 2016, the EU provided 27.5 million euros to Armenia’s budget through different channels, which is not directly reflected in the budget. Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan stated about this during the discussion of the ongoing 2016 budget execution in the parliament. 7 million out of that money was provided for the organization of electoral processes. Shavarsh Kocharyan states that the EU remained to be the main partner of Armenia last year, negotiations on the new framework agreement continued to be active, there have been several high-level mutual visits, Armenia has managed to join the EU’s various programs, and to continue those it had already joined. Particularly important is Armenia’s participation in the “Horizon -2020” and other EU educational programs.
First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Garegin Melkonyan considers the EU’s assistance to Armenia as unprecedentedly high index. Armenia has not received such a budgetary support from the EU in the previous years. Government explains this by the conscientious fulfilment of the agreements reached, and the implemented amendments.
Member of the “Tsarukyan” faction Vahe Enfiajyan reminded that Armenia-EU framework agreement will be signed at the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in November. Taking into account the sad experience of the Armenia-EU Association Agreement, the deputy asked whether this document may experience the same fate. Shavarsh Kocharyan answered, “The document has been initialled. We’ll talk about the results next year”.
Samvel Farmanyan, Vice-Chairman of the NA European Integration Commission, who is chairing the session, considers the concerns and the comparison between association and framework agreements to be groundless. “The initialled document does not contradict our other international obligations. Moreover, it creates a good basis for cooperation with the EU”, he said, taking into account the fact that the choice of Armenia to join the EAEU contradicted Armenia’s joining the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
