On April 7, an awareness raising and capacity building workshop was organized for the representatives of the RA Government agencies and other state institutions involved in the Budget support operations implemented in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Instrument. Questions regarding the programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the results of the EU support programmes was presented and discussed during the workshop.

The welcoming speeches were delivered during the workshop by Mr. Garegin Melkonyan, the RA First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments and Mr. Hoa-Binh Adjemian, Head of Operations Section of the EU Delegation to Armenia.

In his welcoming speech Mr. Garegin Melkonyan mentioned that Budget support is one of the most important instruments of EU assistance to Armenia under the European Neighbourhood Instrument, thanks to which a number of substantial reforms have been conducted in priority areas in Armenia. He also added that the main purpose of the organised workshop was to improve the processes related to the implementation and coordination of Budget support programmes as well as to reduce possible risks that can occur in the future during the implementation of those programmes. As a national coordinator of programmes implemented in Armenia under the European Neighbourhood Instrument the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments is interested that both Budget support and other European Union support instruments are applied most effectively.

EU expert Mr. Olivier Vandenbussche discussed with the participants the potential risks that can occur during the programming, preparation, implementation and monitoring phases of budget support operations and mechanisms of their reduction, as well as coordination issues between the stakeholders during the monitoring phase.

During the workshop group escersises were organised as well to illustrate the practicale usage of the presented mechanisms to the participants.

More than 30 representatives of beneficiary ministries and other state institutions, as well as European Delegation to Armenia participated in the event.

The event was organized with the support of the European Union.

Additional information
The Budget support instrument is an aid modality, through which EU supports the reforms of the partner country. Funds allocated for Budget support are fully transferred directly to the state budget of the beneficiary country. Funds are transferred only after the country fulfils the conditions set in the respective agreements. The degree of performance of the conditions is evaluated by a respective independent expert mission.