EU official: Projects in Ganja reflect shared goals of Azerbaijan and EU

The European Union is implementing a range of projects in Ganja and other regions of Azerbaijan in the fields of healthcare, environment, urban infrastructure, and transport, Victor Bojkov, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Azerbaijan, said during a press briefing.

According to Report"s correspondent in Ganja, Bojkov said that ongoing projects in Ganja are part of the shared objectives and ambitions defined by the EU and Azerbaijan within the framework of bilateral cooperation.

"All initiatives are divided into two main categories - grant projects and investment projects. Grant funding is provided by the EU through international organizations to implement programmes in Azerbaijan and does not require repayment. Investment projects, on the other hand, involve financing in the form of loans to state bodies or municipalities," he explained.

He added that the EU also uses mechanisms that partially offset loans through grant components, reducing the financial burden on recipients.

Bojkov noted that grant-based initiatives include regional development and environmental protection projects in **Karabakh**, implemented with the participation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as well as a World Health Organization programme aimed at strengthening healthcare systems and primary medical services.

He also highlighted the Covenant of Mayors, in which Ganja participates.

"Cities from Azerbaijan and EU countries exchange experience in urban planning, green technologies, and improving urban living conditions," he said.

Among investment projects, Bojkov mentioned the reconstruction of railway infrastructure in Nakhchivan, describing it as strategically important.

He also said the EU is considering projects in Ganja related to water management and street lighting modernization aimed at improving energy efficiency and urban infrastructure development.