GYUMRI, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS. The tourism development program, worth 13 million Euros, which has been approved by the Armenian government and will be implemented by the European Union in Armenia, will include three northern provinces of the Republic – Shirak, Lori and Tavush, Ambassador Piotr Świtalski, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, told reporters in Ashotsk town on June 16. “I hope we will be able to launch this large-scale program in October-November 2019 which costs 13 million Euros and mainly aims at boosting tourism. We have already launched discussions with the Governor of Shirak province in order to hear his opinion on how we can spend these sums at best”, he said.

The EU Ambassador assured that within the frames of these 13 million Euros small entrepreneurs will have an opportunity receive small grants aimed at boosting tourism. “We have great hopes with the governors of these three provinces so that they will guide and inspire us for spending at best these sums. Of course, several years will be required for the results to be visible, therefore we need to be patient. But we are moving on this direction. We hope we will soon sign a contract with our partner structure, the German development agency. I dream that the main works will launch in autumn”, the EU delegation chief said.

At the moment the European Union is discussing community assistance program with the Armenian government. It will be included in the Armenia-EU 2019 action plan. “I cannot release details from this program yet, because we are still at the discussion stage with the Armenian government, but we want the money to be directed to the local communities, the villages and towns. This has been a priority for me since my first days in office in Armenia, to concentrate the programs outside Yerevan, in provinces and local communities. I have done everything what I could, and I am full of hope that this programs will be implemented quite well”, he said.

Commenting on providing 25 million additional Euros for the judicial reforms in Armenia, the EU Ambassador stated: “Yes, Armenia has received 25 million Euros. This is a political decision because it reflects the EU’s positive assessment of the democratic changes that have taken place in Armenia. Now we are discussing with your government where to direct these sums, and we need to decide this as soon as possible because this is an urgent money, it should be provided for any purpose very quickly. The European Union supports Armenia’s justice reforms and is ready to provide assistance”, he said.