RA Deputy PM received the delegation headed by Minister of Regional Development of Poland Elżbieta Bieńkowska. The visit was made in the framework of Polish PM Donald Tusk’s working visit.
As the PR division of the ministry of territorial administration reported, A. Gevorgyan greeted the guests and attached importance to the fact the Minister of Regional Development was in the composition of the delegation headed by Polish PM, which is a good chance to discuss cooperation-related issues. Deputy PM noted that Poland is one of the initiators of the EU Eastern Partnership, and cooperation between regions has great importance in this context.
A. Gevorgyan made an in-depth presentation of local self government and territorial administration system of Armenia. It was noted that LSGB system is established, but balanced development of the territories is one of the priorities of the Government and steps are being taken to mitigate disproportions between the capital and regions. Socio-economic projects are drafted and are being drafted for each region, but there is lack of experience in their implementation and further monitoring for this purpose. A. Gevorgyan underscored that in this case experience of Poland would be useful. Further development of current cooperation between Polish and Armenian regions was also attached importance to. Possibility of drafting and further signing of bilateral document related to regional development was discussed.
Polish Minister of Regional Development noted that Poland passed a long way of decentralization and expressed readiness to cooperate and share experience. It was noted that projects of regional development, funded by the EU Committee of the Regions and Government of Poland, are currently implemented in Georgia , and the Minister expressed readiness to involve Armenia and start from need assessment. She also suggested that the cooperation should be started from the ministries and spread in the regions.
