YEREVAN. – Armenian minister Davit Harutyunyan does not share the opinion that the European Union is casting doubt on fairness of upcoming parliamentary elections.

Harutyunyan, minister and head of Armenian government staff, was asked by Armenian News-NEWS.am to comment on the recent statement by EU Ambassador Piotr Switalski. In an earlier interview with the agency Mr. Switalski said that EU had allocated up to 4 million euros to procure equipment and 2 more million will be transferred in the coming days, but the last tranche – more than one million – will be available only after the elections. Allocation of the final tranche will depend on how the elements of the electoral deal will be implemented, the head of EU delegation added.

Asked whether the statement was a clear message that EU doubts whether the upcoming elections will be fair, the minister said: “I do not think that it looks as a message. It would be wrong to refer to Mr. Switalski’s words in this way. They participate financially at this stage [of elections], just as the government does, so that the cameras and live broadcast be ensured. As to encouraging, additional amount, it will come as support to the budget”.