ArmInfo. On January 29, the Armenian government approved a proposal to sign a cooperation agreement to provide advisory services to support the preparation of the Armenia - Resilient Syunik program. The corresponding decision was made at a government session on January 29.
As stated in the document's rationale, the Memorandum of Understanding is planned to be signed between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure a to ensure the provision of advisory services for the preparation of the water supply component of the Armenia - Resilient Syunik Program (RESYP). The advisory services are expected to support the preparation of an investment plan and cost estimate for the water supply component of the program, in line with EIB financing criteria, through technical assistance financed by the EIB.
Project objectives:
- Improving access to reliable and safe water supply for the population of the Syunik region, - Strengthening the socio-economic resilience of communities, - Integrating displaced and resettled families, - Promoting sustainable economic growth through infrastructure development.
Under the Memorandum, the EIB will manage the entire procurement process for the advisory services: tendering, contract signing, management, and payment, while the Ministry of Territorial Development of the Republic of Armenia will act as the EIB's lead partner. The Water Resources Committee will coordinate the provision of advisory services under this Agreement in cooperation with the project beneficiaries-the Syunik regional administration, communities, settlements, and the Armenian Territorial Development Fund.
It is noted that the ratification of the Memorandum is appropriate given the strategic importance of the Syunik region, the needs of conflict-affected communities, and the priority of improving water supply infrastructure. The technical assistance will include a study of the water supply systems of 55 pre-selected settlements in the Syunik region and the development of feasible water supply schemes for the settlements (which may ultimately differ from the 55 initially selected by name and number) (for the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of municipal and rural water supply infrastructure), with a technical and financial assessment. The drinking water component is one of three components of the RESYP program and is expected to account for half of the total estimated project cost (50 million euros), which is 25 million euros.
