Private sector development, public administration reform and justice sector reform will be the priorities of EU-Armenia relations in the period 2014-2020, said head of EU delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea.

In an interview with the EU Neighbourhood Info Centre, Ambassador said a particular focus will be placed on encouraging economic diversification and competitiveness, strengthening SMEs especially in rural areas, securing the rights of business entities, enhancing the Government’s steering and administrative capabilities and independent and effective judicial sector.

 The new European Neighborhood Instrument will contribute to strengthening relations and bring tangible benefits to both the EU and Armenia through bilateral, regional and cross border co-operation programmes.

“Indeed, by applying the “more for more” principle, we expect to provide more support for those partners genuinely implementing a broad and comprehensive democratisation process,” he emphasized.

Traian Hristea recalled that EU has provided substantial support to reforms in many sectors in Armenia, including vocational education and training, e-governance reforms in Armenia including access to a fast and simple registration of economic entities, a monitoring system for traffic police, and an update of the population registry.

“Another project, the EU Advisory Group, has facilitated the development of more effective strategic and legal framework within different Armenian institutions and helped prepare Armenia for technical and political dialogue with the EU,” he added.