Today the European Union announced a grant of 35.6 million euros for Armenia to support the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. The news is reported by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. This EU decision is the result of a positive assessment of progress in certain areas, such as macroeconomic stability, public financial management and public budget transparency.
This is part of the 92 million Euro package of EU assistance to Armenia announced in April last year, which was redistributed to support Armenia in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic, supplemented with new means to mitigate the impact of the epidemic on the Armenian people.
"By making a direct financial contribution, we emphasize and support the commendable efforts of the Government of the Republic of Armenia aimed at preserving jobs, supporting small and medium businesses, as well as providing basic medical and social services to those most affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. The assistance announced today is in addition to other assistance tools provided by CSOs through European financial institutions to support vulnerable households and businesses", the EU said.
"Today, as the world faces a multi-level crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we value the support of the EU in combating the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic in Armenia.This timely allocation of funds is a demonstration of our effective cooperation with the European Union. I am confident that through our joint efforts, we will increase Armenia's resistance to the COVID-19 crisis", noted the RA Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.
"This direct budgetary support is tangible evidence of the strong commitment of the EU and its citizens to the fight against COVID-19 in Armenia. The European Union and its member states contribute to strengthening Armenia's health care system and counter the immediate humanitarian and economic consequences of COVID-19. We share the challenge: only together we can achieve success", said Andrea Viktorin, the head of the EU delegation to Armenia.
The EU response stems from the European Team approach, which aims to save lives by providing rapid and targeted support to our partners in the fight against the epidemic. It brings together the resources of the EU, its member states and European financial institutions to support partner countries and to respond to their short-term needs and long-term structural impacts on society and the economy.
