A delegation led by Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation Mr. Peter Eriksson visited Armenia 21-22 March 2019. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the implementation of the decision to scale up Sweden’s assistance to Armenia, in response to the democratization process and the strong political will to undertake necessary reforms in the country.
During their meeting Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, H.E. Mr. Nikol Pashinyan, and Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation agreed to launch a bilateral cooperation project on waste management and circular economy for a greener and cleaner Armenia.
Discussions were held with Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Tigran Avinyan and with Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Mher Grigoryan on Armenia’s Policy on inclusive growth, Agenda 2030, reform priorities and CEPA implementation.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan hosted the delegation for a meeting at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, followed by a working lunch.
With Minister for Labour and Social affairs Ms. Zaruhi Batoyan and Deputy Minister Mr. Arman Udumyan the delegation discussed Armenia’s policy for women’s economic participation, workers’ rights, diversity and non-discrimination.
The delegation visited Tsitsernakaberd, where they paid Tribute at the Memorial Complex and Museum, laid a wreath at the Memorial and flowers at the eternal fire.
The delegation visited AUA Centre for the Environment, where First Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Ms. Irina Ghaplanyan and Mr. Alen Amirkhanian, Director of AUA Acopian Centre for the Environment, presented challenges on three areas: solid waste management and recycling, hazardous waste management, sustainable mining, and discussed possibilities of Swedish-Armenian cooperation in these fields.
Lab Lead Mr. Stepan Margaryan at the National SDG Innovation Lab, and Ms. Louise Skärvall, SDG Liaison Officer at UNDP Armenia, presented the activities of the lab and how the UNDP is working together with the Armenian government on Agenda 2030.
During a visit to TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies Director Ms. Marie Lou Papazian, in the company of Minister for Labour and Social affairs Ms. Zaruhi Batoyan, presented how high-tech learning centres for young people has been created around the country, with focus on creativity and technology.
The delegation also met with young leaders who recently transitioned from civil society to public office, with civil society representatives, and with international development partners.
The delegation to Armenia comprised of:
- Mr. Peter Eriksson, Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation
- H.E. Mr. Ulrik Tideström, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden to Armenia and Georgia
- Ms. Martina Quick, Director, Deputy Head of Department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
- Ms. Elsa Håstad, Director, Head of Department for Europe and Latin America, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
- Mr. Martin Fredriksson, Minister Counsellor, Chargé d’affaires a.i., Embassy of Sweden in Yerevan
- Ms. Katarina Hellström, Political Adviser to the Minister, Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and
- Ms. Hanna Hessling, Press Adviser to the Minister, Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs
