US-ARMENIA TASK FORCE MEETS IN YEREVAN

ArmenPress
May 17 2004

YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS: The regular, 8-th meeting of the
US-Armenian Task Force started today in the Armenian capital.
Armenian finance ministry said the process of implementation of joint
projects was discussed and prospects for further cooperation were
mapped out. It said also that Armenia’s inclusion in the Millennium
Challenge Account program was also on the agenda of the meeting. The
head of the US delegation, ambassador Carlos Pascal, proposed that
Armenia should outline its priority problems which it hopes to solve
with the assistance of new funds in order to submit them to a special
US delegation that will arrive in Armenia soon.

Another focus of the discussions was on problems relating to customs
and tax administration, with both sides stating that improvement in
these sectors is a key factor for ensuring continued economic growth.

Also energy, agriculture, business environment improvement- related
issues were discussed. The May 18 meeting will be topped y WTO
membership, trafficking in human beings, money laundering-related
issues.