PRIME MINISTER MEETS TOP IMF AND WB OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON

ARMENPRESS
Oct 22, 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS: The government press office in
Yerevan said on October 20 evening prime minister Serzh Sarkisian
flew back to Washington from Los Angeles for a series of meetings
with top level officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
and World Bank (WB) the following day.

It said on October 21 Serzh Sarkisian met with Dominique Strauss-Kahn,
the newly appointed Managing Director of the International Monetary
Fund. The press office said the Armenian prime minister congratulated
Mr. Strauss-Kahn on his new appointment, wishing him success in
solving the problems faced by the IMF.

Serzh Sarkisian spoke then about the current trends of Armenian
economic development and perspectives of cooperation with the IMF. He,
particularly, noted that due to a successful cooperation with the
IMF since 1992 Armenia has managed to achieve macroeconomic stability
and restore its economy that collapsed together with disintegration
of the former Soviet Union.

Sarkisian argued that the IMF should continue its partnership with
Armenia which is set to be accomplished formally next May. He said also
the government has developed an ambitious plan of sweeping reforms
and expects the IMF to provide technical assistance and consulting
to materialize them. He said the reform embraces tax and customs
administration and raising the economy’s competition level.

Later that day Serzh Sarkisian hosted the U.S. cochairman of the OSCE
Minsk Group Matthew Bryza at the Armenian Embassy in Washington for
a discussion of issues of bilateral importance.

On October 21 Serzh Sarkisian met with the leadership of the World
Bank. During a meeting with WB vice-president Shigeo Katsu he expressed
appreciation of the current level of cooperation with the Bank and
presented the priorities of the Armenian government with respect to
economic development.

Mr. Katsu noted that the International Development Association has
recognized Armenia as a country that has achieved highest results as
regards economic indices.

Serzh Sarkisian met also with World Bank Managing Director Grim-Willer
for a discussion of a set of issues pertaining to Armenian economy.