Armenia to Receive 5 Million Euros within Food Safety Program

The European Union has allocated the first tranche totaling in 5 million Euros for the implementation of the food safety program in Armenia. The rest 5 million Euros intended for 2005 will be allotted till the end of the current year. As Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Georgia and Armenia, Ambassador Torben Holtze stated, in August 2005 the RA National Assembly signed a bill on allocation of 20 million Euros for the implementation of the food program in 2005-2006. The program is targeted at the development of social protection, agriculture, health, etc. When touching upon the EU Wider Europe: New Neighbors Program Mr. Holtze stated that the “stress should laid upon the social development of the republic. In the Ambassador’s words, it is important for Armenia to acquire a status of a state with market economy. To note, in 1997-2005 the European Union assigned Armenia 81 million Euros within the food safety program, 76.5 million Euros for development of the budget structure and 4.5 million Euros for covering technical expenses, IA Regnum reported.