The Government of the Republic of Armenia

Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Suren Papikyan met with World Bank (WB) Regional Director for South Caucasus Sebastian Molineus on September 7, who was accompanied by newly appointed Country Manager of the World Bank for Armenia Carolin Geginat.

Welcoming the visit of Sebastian Molineus and congratulating Carolin Geginat on the appointment, the Deputy PM highlighted the long-lasting cooperation between the Armenian Government and the World Bank, stating that many grant and loan programs have been implemented in the sidelines of the partnership. He highlighted the Bank’s contribution to the upgrading of Armenia’s public administration system, the development of the social sphere, infrastructure and local self-government bodies, reaffirming his readiness to closely collaborate in the mentioned directions.

Bank (WB) Regional Director for South Caucasus Sebastian Molineus congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Papikyan on the victory in the recent early parliamentary elections and on assuming the post of Deputy Prime Minister. Highly appreciating the Armenian Government’s readiness for cooperation, he expressed confidence that the new opportunities will be maximally used in the current partnering environment. Sebastian Molineus reaffirmed that the World Bank is ready to continue and expand the partnership, assisting Armenia’s economic development.

Issues related to the development of the spheres of agriculture, water use, energy, tourism, infrastructure and opportunities for cooperation were discussed during the meeting. Effective and energy-saving programs were considered as a priority. The issue of balanced development of communities was touched upon, in connection with which the Deputy Prime Minister said that administrative-territorial changes will take place in the near future, as a result of which communities will become economically stronger and with adequate agricultural equipment and modern garbage-collection and energy-saving systems, as well as conditions will be created for the development of the human capital. The interlocutors highlighted the development of small towns in Armenia aimed at decentralizing and creating new urban environments outside Yerevan. Suren Papikyan noted that the Armenian Government and the WB have a common agenda on the above-mentioned issues and the complementary and harmonious work with each other can create a quick and quality result in all priority spheres.