EU welcomes Armenian authorities’ readiness to implement a comprehensive program for education development, according to the head of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia.

At news conference in Yerevan, Ambassador Raul de Luzenberger characterized the Program for Development of Professional Education as a basic component of Armenia’s labor market.

Armenian Education Minister Armen Ashotyan, in turn, thanked the EU for opening professional education colleges in Armenia, “which is bound to positively affect Armenia’s labor market”.

According to Luzenberger, in 2011, EU allocated Euro 15 mln to project implementation; over the last 8 years, Euro 30 mln was spent on various education-related initiatives.

In program framework, the first professional education colleges will be opened in the cities of Ararat and Yeghegnadzor. “To reduce corruption risks, college admission procedure was facilitated, with exam tests including strictly professional disciplines. Opening of a total 12 colleges in planned,” the Minister concluded.