UPCOMING ELECTIONS WIIL HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ECONOMIC REFORMS IN ARMENIA, US AMBASSADOR STATES

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 3 2005

WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The US Ambassador to Armenia
John Evans considered the 7th meeting of the US-Armenia Task Force
in Washington on September 26 as the most successful one of those
attended by him. He said that the meeting was remarkable for the
extensive discussion of democratic reforms with a simultaneous
coverage of their relationship with economic growth. “We have come
to an agreement that the upcoming elections may have a significant
impact on the process of economic reforms in the country, and these
elections must be free and fair,” J. Evans noted.

In 1992, the US government allocated more than 1.6 bln dollars
as development and humanitarian aid for Armenia. According to a
press release submitted to NT by the US embassy in Armenia, the
US government’s aid is aimed at ensuring stability in the region,
strengthening democracy and promoting the development of market
economy in Armenia.

The purpose of the US-Armenia Task Force (USATF), which was set
up in 2000, is to encourage the economic cooperation between the
two countries and increase the efficiency of assistance programs
implemented by the US government. USATF meetings are convened twice
a year, with one meeting to be held in Armenia, and another – in the
US. The next meeting is scheduled for spring, 2006 in Armenia.