AZG Armenian Daily #129, 14/07/2005
Cooperation
‘WE ARE EAGER TO DEVELOP LORI REGION’, GREEK AMBASSADOR SAYS
“The Greek government wants to improve the well-being of the Armenian
people to the level of Europe as we consider Armenia to be a republic
with European culture. As we know, Greece is a member of the EU and it
proposed to include Armenia in New Neighborhood project. I think that
is the first step of Armenia towards Europe. We all want to develop
Armenia’s regions to maintain balance between them and the center. We
are especially eager to develop the region of Lori”, Greek ambassador
to Armenia, Antonios Vlavianos, said during his Vanadzor visit.
The Interior Ministry of Greece and Greek EETAA organization (local
development and self-governance joint-stock company) in cooperation
with Greek embassy to Armenia and regional administration of Lori
carries out projects in the region. They reconstructed the bridge of
Alaverdi, drinking water supply system of Yaghdan community and local
road network in Kekhes and Shamlugh. It is envisaged to finish
construction of water filtration system of Akhtala.
“The drinking water pipeline of Akhtala is in the pilot stage. Our
guest will return in September with a project for Gyumri (the Greek
government finances constriction of an indoor swimming pool), and we
will sign an agreement on Akhtala project. We have discussed with our
Greek partners the possibility of continuing with such projects”, head
of Lori region administration, Henrik Kochinian, said.
Head of the projects of EETAA in Armenia, Nikolaos Kafantaris, thanked
the heads of communities in Lori who took part in the projects and
offered to submit their suggestions to the regional administration.
After signing documents, the Greek guests took part in the opening of
Vanadzor’s indoor pool and athletic school. $100.000 of overall
$370.000 needed for the construction of the pool was allocated by the
Greek side. Addition $50.000 from Greek government was spent to cover
the athletic arena with rubber.
By Manvel Mikoyan in Vanadzor