U.S. DELEGATION ARRIVES IN ARMENIA TO REVIEW MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES PREPARATIONS

Armenpress
August 24, 2005

YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS: The US Embassy in Armenia said
three staff members from the United States House of Representatives
International Relations Committee are arriving today in Armenia for
a three-day visit. The delegation members are visiting Armenia to
review plans for the country’s pending development compact with the
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

In addition to meetings regarding the Millennium Challenge Account
process, the delegation will discuss the full range of political and
economic development issues in Armenia and the region with high-level
government officials, NGOs, political leaders and diplomats.

The delegation, whose members have already been to Georgia for
a similar visit and who will visit Ghana and Benin following
Armenia, includes staffers Matthew McLean, Samuel Stratman, and Paul
Oostburg-Sanz. These un-elected staff members advise the Congressmen
who serve on the House International Relations Committee, which is
the standing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives that
is in charge of legislation related to the foreign affairs of the
United States. During their visit to Armenia, the delegation members
will meet with Millennium Challenge-Armenia representatives and will
visit project-sites throughout Armenia that may receive assistance
if Armenia’s MCC proposal is accepted.

The delegation will also meet with various NGOs and donor community
representatives, as well as with Armenian officials, including Minister
of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Agriculture Davit
Lokyan, National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan, Presidential
Senior Advisor Armen Gevorkyan, Minister of Regional Administration
and Infrastructure Hovik Abrahamyan, and Deputy Minister of Finance
and Economy Khachatryan.

The U.S. Government continues to implement a development assistance
program in Armenia that is aimed at strengthening democracy and civil
society, promoting broad-based economic growth, and fostering regional
stability. To date, the U.S. Government has provided over 1.6 billion
dollars to help the people of Armenia.