Germany to provide Armenia with nearly 85 mln euros in grants, loans

YEREVAN. Nov 22 (Interfax) - The German government will provide 84.6 million euros to Armenia in grants and loans, Armenia's state news agency Armenpress quoted Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan and Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Niels Annen as saying at a press conference in Yerevan following two-day intergovernmental negotiations.

"The additional support provided by Germany will be used to implement new programs in vocational education and training and in the renewable energy sector," Kerobyan said.

The Armenian and German governments have signed a protocol on intergovernmental negotiations. These have been the first official negotiations between the two countries since 2014.

"I think this is a very clear message to the entire world that Germany and Armenia are opening a new path of cooperation. Armenia has proven yet again that it is committed to democracy and a democratic society," Annen said.

"Special support is planned for the Armenian government to accommodate and integrate the people who have come to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh," he said.

Germany will also attach more significance to bolstering Armenia's energy independence, he said.