Armenian leader urges European bank to expand cooperation

Mediamax news agency
19 May 04

Yerevan, 19 May: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan received President
of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development [EBRD] Jean
Lemierre in Yerevan today.

Kocharyan noted that cooperation between Armenia and the EBRD was not
very expanded and spoke in favour of greater involvement on the part
of the EBRD in the economic development in Armenia.

Jean Lemierre said in turn that drawing up further assistance
programmes in Armenia, the EBRD would focus mainly on programmes of
assistance to small and medium-sized businesses.

They also discussed issues relating to the activities of Armenia’s
banking system and stressed the importance of forming an initial
mortgage market.