YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The investment environment in Armenia at the moment is unfavorable for direct foreign investmen’s. French Ambassador to Armenia Michel Legras stated: "The French government cannot compel French businessmen to make investmen’s in Armenia. The only thing we can do is to make the Armenian government understand that it is necessary to create a favorable environment.
For this purpose–it is first of all necessary to ensure the transparency of deals and a favorable legislation–a legislation clear to everyone. This is not difficult at all and it is the major problem of the government. Our government is sure to turn to our businessmen and persuade them to make investmen’s in Armenia only after such conditions have been created."
The Ambassador highlighted the fact that there are organizations in France and in other countries which are trying to persuade foreign companies into making investmen’s in their countries. Whereas in Armenia there is no such persuasion.
"I believe that the present situation in Armenia connected with investmen’s is the result of the various expectations the government has in connection with various countries. The government seems to hinge upon foreign countries while it should take its own way," Legras added.
Michel Legras agreed that the situation in Armenia had changed for the better from the his previous diplomatic mission there. But more progress could have been made during the past ten years. It’s true that since 1991 changes have been made in Armenia–but the world is developing at a much faster pace.
The Ambassador regretted the fact that there is no program of strategic development in Armenia. There is only one proposal made by some political forces to join the "Russia-Belarus" Union–which means regression. "Unfortunately–there are no other proposals," Michel Legras concluded.