UN Millennium Development Goals to be implemented in Armenia

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
26 May 04

[Presenter] According to the UN experts’ assessments, the successes
achieved in Armenia by the implementation of the UN Millennium
Development Goals are impressive. The regional representative of the
UN Millennium Development Goals, Yeji Osiatynski noted that apart from
the successes which have been achieved, there are a lot of works to
be done in education, health care and other spheres. Osiatynski said
that if we are speaking about the reduction of poverty it is necessary
to increase the level of higher education. When people are educated it
is easier for them to find a job, and more jobs means less poor people.

[Correspondent] Armenia has joined the UN new programme four years
ago, which is called the Millennium Development Goals, with 190 other
countries. The programme encompasses the following eight areas of
human challenge.

These are: To reduce poverty and starvation, to achieve primary
education, gender equality, to reduce child mortality, maternal
health, to struggle against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases,
to ensure environmental protection and to create a global partnership
for development.

Among these eight goals, the first, poverty reduction is the most
important for Armenia. The regional representative of the UN Millennium
Development Goals, Yeji Osiatynski noted that the time has come when
the economic growth registered in Armenia will be directed to the
reduction of poverty.

[Yeji Osiatynski, captioned in his office, in English with Armenian
voice over] It is not important that poverty will be reduced in 2005,
2010 or 2015. It is a necessary political and social aim and we
are moving forward in this direction. The democratic system, a free
economy and creative and talented people will help you in this work.

[Correspondent] The Polish official who visited Armenia for the first
time, who was finance minister in his home country, considers that
the time is right to clear the county of corruption and to reduce the
number of poor people in the country. Osiatynski thinks that the young
hold great potential for the newly developing countries and also for
Armenia. The future of the country is in their hands. Armenian Prime
Minister Andranik Markaryan also agreed with Osiatynski’s opinion.

[Yeji Osiatynski] Today during the meeting with the prime minister I
understood that there is a readiness and intention to implement the
Millennium Development Goals for the sake of the country and their
people. With all your efforts you must build a democratic state,
have a free economy and you will succeed.

[Correspondent] The representatives of the government and political
organizations discussed the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Artak Aleksanyan, “Aylur”.