PRESIDENT SERZH SARKISIAN RECEIVES CONSUELO VIDAL, UN PERMANENT COORDINATOR AND UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE
ARMENPRESS
June 17
President Serzh Sarkisian received today Consuelo Vidal, UN Permanent
Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia.
The presidential press office told Armenpress that President Sarkisian
emphasized greatly the programs ran by different UN agencies in Armenia
for years, aimed at strengthening the state and boosting the economy.
Expressing his pleasure over the close and constructive interaction
Serzh Sarkisian said that the Armenian side is ready to deepen it
and use the available possibilities more effectively.
According to Ms. Vidal, Armenia is an active member of UN making its
positive contribution to its work.
She presented to the president programs and the activity of 12 UN
agencies operating in Armenia saying that it is their wish that they
serve more effectively for the prosperity of the Armenian people.
She said also that a new four-year plan of cooperation between Armenia
and UN is being developed currently. She said they would like the
government to point out the priority directions and sectors where it
expects UN support.
Serzh Sarkisian listed as priority shifting from humanitarian projects
to development ones, expressing also a wish that joint projects be
more tangible and addressed.
He especially emphasized the expertise assistance provided by all
UN agencies, noting that the government’s capacity is growing year
after year and now the main problem is to use it more effectively.
During the meeting the sides also spoke about changing prices of
food commodities and fuel in global markets in the context of food
security and relevant cooperation between the government and UN.
They also referred to social and economic conditions of refugees
singling out apartment purchase certificate program as an important
move in this direction.
At the end of the meeting Ms. Consuelo Vidal invited President
Sarkisian to visit the UN Armenia Office to see on the ground its work.