ARMENIA FOCUSES ON COOPERATION DEVELOPMENT WITH USA: PRIME MINISTER

ARKA
May 19, 2008

YEREVAN, May 19. /ARKA/. Armenia attaches importance to cooperation
development with the USA, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian said
Friday during his meeting with Coordinator of US Assistance to Europe
and Eurasia Tomas Adams.

The RA Premier told the US official the country focuses on the
productive activities of Armenian-US intergovernmental working group
on economy, the RA Government’s press service reports.

Sargsian thanked the US Government for supporting Armenia after the
country declared independence. "We realize that some sectors still
need serious reforms and that we will settle all the issues thanks
to the US assistance," the Prime Minister said.

Sargsian introduced Adams to the country’s current macroeconomic
situation and the tax and legislative reforms in Armenia. He assured
the US official that the reformed fields will help solve a number of
social and economic problems.

The Premier said the reforms will be made public soon, so as society
could control government activities. He told Adams Armenia also
focuses on small and medium business development and anti-corruption
programs. The RA Government is cooperating with international
organizations which observe the country’s activities to find weak
points in implemented programs.

The Prime Minister said people are sick and tired of empty promises. He
assured Adams the Government is ready to carry out broad reforms in
the country. "We are in search of principles that unite us today,"
Sargsian said.

In his turn, Adams congratulated the Prime Minister on his appointment,
saying he has been cooperating with Sargsian since he was Chairman
of the Central Bank of Armenia.

Adams assured the Premier he will be able to achieve success in
his activities.

The US official approved of the current tax reforms in Armenia,
saying the country has progressed in that field.

According to Adams, Armenia still has problems with democracy building,
supremacy of law and entrepreneurship. He assured the Prime Minister
the US Administration will help Armenia become more attractive to
foreign investors.