The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia, H.E. Anne Louyot, answered the written questions of Radar Armenia, referring to the establishment of the representation of the French Development Agency in Armenia.

- Can you specify specific dates when the branch of the French Development Agency will be opened in Armenia?

- The activity of FDG in Armenia started in 2012 and is coordinated by the South Caucasus regional agency in Tbilisi. Since December 2022, a permanent representative in Yerevan has strengthened the implementation and monitoring of the activities of the EDF on the ground. In March 2022, the intergovernmental agreement signed between the IDF and the Government of Armenia entered into force, which defines the legal framework for the operation of the IDF group in the country.

- What sectoral cooperation is planned?

- ADF supports the RA government in implementing its priorities in water and irrigation, rural development, energy, energy efficiency, and public finance management. Proparco, a private sector subsidiary, supports the RA financial sector, including banks and microfinance institutions, specifically targeting SMEs and farmers, and manufacturing and agri-food enterprises. "Expertise France," the technical cooperation agency of the EDF Group, cooperates with Armenia to improve the governance system.

- Has the RA government already applied to use the loan funds under the loan agreement signed between the Republic of Armenia and the French Development Agency? If so, how much credit was provided?

- On November 17, 2022, budget support of 100 million euros was signed between Armenia and the French Development Agency. The first phase of the multi-year project is co-financed with the Asian Development Bank; the loan will enable the strengthening of the efficiency of public finance management and the development of the infrastructure of the dram and stock markets while taking into account the challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation through the development of a strategic framework for the transition to a green economy. This first phase is now complete. The overall goal is to support sustainable and inclusive growth and improve the quality of life of the Armenian population.

Hayk Magoyan