ARMENIA AMONG LARGEST RECIPIENTS OF US ASSISTANCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2006 20:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia is one of the largest recipients of
U.S. assistance on a per capita basis.

Since 1992, the United States has provided more than 1.6 billion
dollars of assistance to Armenia in support of the country’s transition
to democracy, U.S.

Ambassador to Armenia John Evans stated in an interview with
PanARMENIAN.Net. In his words, through this assistance, the United
States government is cooperating with Armenia in pursuit of three
major goals: strengthening democratic institutions, providing for a
more stable and secure South Caucasus, and building the economies of
all three countries of the region.

“In addition to our on-going programs, the United States has developed
a program of assistance worth approximately seven million dollars
to help Armenia in holding free and fair elections in 2007 and
2008. This comprehensive package of election-related assistance will
provide support for the development of the national voter registry
and the conduct of voter education campaigns,” he said. It will also
include assistance for the development of voter education materials,
training for various sectors of society including representatives
of the judicial system and political party representatives, and
exchange visits for media outlets, Evans said. “We believe it is
vitally important for Armenia’s future that the upcoming elections be
free, fair and transparent, and be perceived as such not only by the
international community, but most importantly by the Armenian people
themselves,” the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission underscored.

In addition, on March 27 the United States Millennium Challenge
Corporation signed a $235 million Compact with Armenia, the
U.S. Ambassador reminded. “This assistance program will focus on rural
road rehabilitation and improved irrigation, and will directly impact
approximately 75% of the rural population, increasing their annual
income by an estimated $36 million in 2010 and over $113 million
in 2015. In order to remain eligible for this funding, Armenia must
continue to demonstrate a commitment to ruling justly, investing in
people, and encouraging economic freedom,” Ambassador Evans said.