MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE IS TRUST ARMENIA HAS TO JUSTIFY

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2006 00:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Millennium Challenge Compact is the single
largest government investment in Armenia’s economy, Armenian FM
Vartan Oskanian stated when addressing a forum on Armenian issues
in Washington.

The signing of the Compact drives both economic development and
democratization in Armenia, he said.

“The US government chose Armenia as one of the potential recipients
because Armenia is needy. That’s no secret. But there are lots of
needy countries in the world. Why Armenia? Because the US government
determined to contribute to the budgets of those countries that are
themselves attempting to grow in the right direction – to govern
justly, to encourage economic openness and to invest in people,”
Oskanian said. “Armenia is a part of the MCC because not only is there
plenty about our society that needs to be put right, but because we are
on a path that is right,” the Armenian FM added. As Oskanian noted,
Armenia has the honor and the obligation to build on the confidence
that has been placed in our government and our people. “And so,
even as we spend these funds to turn mud into asphalt and to give
farmers the irrigation water that is their lifeblood, we will work
to make sure that good governance and the principles of an open and
fair society take root in our homeland,” Oskanian stated.