Armenia plans to hand ENA management to leading global company

The government plans to hand over the management of Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) to a leading global company or group of companies after the company becomes state property following its designation as being of overriding public interest.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced at a Cabinet meeting that reprivatizing ENA is not part of the government’s plan.

“In other words, we have no intention of reprivatizing it. At least, that is not our plan,” the prime minister said.

Pashinyan explained that alternative options would be considered if the planned course of action could not be implemented for objective reasons.

The future management of ENA, he said, will be one of the government’s key issues in the near future.

The prime minister also clarified that the decision under consideration regarding ENA constitutes a separate legal procedure and is distinct from processes involving the return of illegally acquired property and the protection of state or community interests. At the same time, he said that, politically, he considers it part of the asset recovery agenda.

“Politically, however, this is an integral part of the process of returning illegally acquired assets, and I consider this very important,” Pashinyan said.

Speaking about this agenda, the prime minister also addressed efforts to clear sidewalks and public areas in the Ajapnyak district of illegally built structures, welcoming the actions of Yerevan City Hall.

According to him, the results of these efforts will not be included in calculating progress toward the government program’s goal of recovering $2 billion worth of property, although this, too, represents tangible value being returned to citizens.

Pashinyan noted that some issues concerning the return of public spaces in Yerevan and the regions are also being resolved through negotiations, without adding to the burden on the courts.