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EU to fund Armenian NGOs

Politics

It is impossible to even imagine that the Armenian government can fully play its role in social reforms without the criticism of civil society.

This is what Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Raul de Lutzenberger announced during a meeting between the EU Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum's national platform and the EU delegation to Armenia.

According to him, the reforms can emerge only after dialogue with the society.

In his turn, coordinator of the national platform of civil society Vache Kalashyan mentioned that the Armenian government often imitates along with taking real steps for social reforms. Lutzenberger says the growth of a partisan system, the state apparatus, as well as politics and business impede efficient governance.

Member of the EU Delegation Andrea Fontana mentioned that the EU is ready to provide additional financial and information assistance to Armenia's non-governmental organizations.

"We must reinforce their capacities and increase their accountability," said Mr. Fontana, adding that the EU has already allocated 22 million Euros for that purpose. The amount will be distributed among all countries participating in the Eastern Partnership Plan based on the "more in exchange for more" principle.

Ambassador Lutzenberger also informed that on September 23, the European Commission will ask for a mandate from the EU Council for initiating talks over the signing of an agreement on simplifying the visa regime and readmission (return of illegal immigrants) with Armenia.

The EU has already signed similar agreements with Ukraine and Moldova, and talks with Georgia are underway. The process with Armenia, Belarus and Azerbaijan are in the preparatory stage.