BRYZA: WASHINGTON IMPRESSED BY TALKS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF ARMENIA

armradio.am
18.11.2008 10:55

Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan received the US Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State, US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
Matthew Bryza. A broad range of issues was discussed, including
US-Armenia economic cooperation, joint action to meet today’s
financial and economic threats, the need in continued activities
under the Millenium Challenge Program and, in this light, subsequent
collaboration with the Millenium Challenge Corporation, the latest
developments in the Karabakh peace process and the outcome of the
Armenian Prime Minister’s recent visit to Washington.

Matthew Bryza said to be pleased with the Prime Minister’s visit
to the United States by noting that officials in Washington were
impressed by their talks with the head of the RA Government and the
reforms underway in Armenia. Mr. Bryza took the opportunity to ask
the Prime Minister about the current status and the outlook of reforms.

The Prime Minister highlighted the reform of tax and customs
administrations, touched upon the concerns voiced by the MCC regarding
some important indicators and took the opportunity to outline his
government’s anti-crisis action plan. The parties also looked at the
possibility for Armenia to get additional aid under the US government’s
technical assistance program.

According to Mr. Bryza, not only does the Millenium Challenge Program
add a strong momentum to the friendship and cooperation between the
two countries, but it is also an indication of the country’s adherence
to the right path.

He assured that the US side is interested in program continuity,
though we should not forget that the latter is conditional on the
achievement of specific target indicators.

With reference to the Karabakh conflict, the OSCE Minsk Group US
Co-Chair underscored that any settlement scenario should imply
a right balance between the principles of territorial integrity
and self-determination. In the words of Matthew Bryza, the latest
developments in our region demonstrated once again that it is
inadmissible to resolve conflicts by force of arms.

In conclusion, the need for expanding and developing diversified
partnership and cooperation ties between the two countries was
emphasized on either side.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress