MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE FUND CONCERNED ABOUT COMPLIANCE WITH SOME CRITERIA FORMING PROGRAM’S BASIS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 16, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. During a tete-a-tete talk with the
U.S. State Department’s Coordinator for Assistance to Europe and
Eurasia Tom Adams, the Armenian president Serge Sargsian attached
special importance to the strengthening of Armenia’s relations with
the United States, viewing these relations in the context of economic
success, democratization and regional stability.

The sides spoke about the postelection situation in Armenia and
the resultant problems. They discussed further activities of the
Millennium Challenge Fund. According to the RA president’s press
service, Tom Adams said that they have some concern over compliance
with the criteria forming the basis of the program.

Noting that the Fund-sponsored programs are mostly aimed at poverty
reduction and overcoming the disproportion in development of urban
and rural settlements, Serge Sargsian said that Armenia intends
to continue its cooperation with the Millennium Challenge Fund. As
for the economic and political criteria that form the Fund’s basis,
the president pointed out that there has been no regress from the
economic point of view, to which Tom Adams agreed, saying that
Armenia’s macroeconomic indices were and continue to be good.

The interlocutors exchanged ideas about the political criteria and
processes as well. The president underlined the necessity to give
a correct assessment of the situation. Tom Adams considered it
important to conduct a deep inquiry into the electoral violations
and postelection developments.