ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 9 2005

VARDAN OSKANYAN: ARMENIA SATISFIED WITH ITS DEVELOPMENT, BUT
CONSIDERS IT INSUFFICIENT

YEREVAN, September 9. /ARKA/. Armenia is satisfied with its
development, but also considers it insufficient, RA Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan said at the presentation of the UNDP Human
Development Report for 2005. He said that “the situation in Armenia
is not bad at first glance”, especially comparing with neighbors. At
the same time he said that Armenia should not direct its attention to
the achievements of neighboring countries, but should lay emphasis on
its own indicators of development. “We still have much to do though
positive indicators have been registered. We should achieve more high
indicators of human development”, Oskanyan said.
He also said that the UNDP Human Development Report should become “a
guide for the RA Government”, which will allow not only to reveal
existing problems in Armenia, but will also become a basis for
socio-economic development. “I hope our Government will familiarize
with this report and will take it as the basis for its future
activities”, Oskanyan said.
Oskanyan positively evaluated Armenia’s indicators which according to
him “should not be underestimated”. “Armenia achieved very high
economic growth over the past five years, which however almost not
affected people’s life, and this growth should be transformed into
human development. It can be realized through poverty reduction and
future democratization”, Oskanyan said. He said that another
alternative is mobilization of the potential of Diaspora and
international donor organizations, particularly, national and
international resources to promote development in the regions. “The
problems of transition still affect Armenia’s population, and they
should be eliminated. The transparent system of governance is crucial
for this, and the international community can help a lot with this
issue. The assistance and partnership should be used to achieve
development”, Oskanyan said.
According to the UNDP Human Development Report, Armenia ranked 83rd
among 117 countries of the world. A.A. -0–