VARDAN OSKANIAN: ARMENIA HIGHLY ESTIMATES EFFORTS OF U.S. IN REGIONAL COOPERATION AND STRENGTHENING OF DEMOCRACY

Noyan Tapan
Jan 9, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. "Armenia highly estimates the efforts
of the U.S. in the issue of regional cooperation, strengthening of
democracy and implementation of programs of development of free market
economy, provision of humanitarian and development aid," RA Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanian stated at the January 9 press conference.

The Minister said that in 2007 Armenia’s relations with the United
States continued developing and deepening in various spheres, including
political, trade and economic and military cooperation.

According to him, in 2007 the direct assistance of the U.S. to Armenia
amounted to 75m USD and to Nagorno Karabakh 3m USD. Parity principle
has been preserved this year in the issue of military assistance
provided to Armenia and Azerbaijan (3m USD to each). Besides, 5m USD
was given to Armenia within the framework of the Foreign Military
Financing.

More than 11m USD was provided to Armenia within the framework of the
Millennium Challenge five-year program, the goal of which is to reduce
poverty in Armenia through improvement of the agricultural sphere.

According to the Minister, trade and economic relations also
develop. As in the previous years, final, non-raw material products
prevail among goods exported from RA to the U.S.