Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Wednesday


Goal of U.S. Government is to transition its relationship with Armenia
from one of aid to one of trade - Deborah Grieser


YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The long-term goal of the U.S.
Government is to transition its relationship with Armenia from one of
aid to one of trade, USAID Armenia Mission Director Deborah Grieser
said in her op-ed, reports Armenpress.

“USAID is proud of its partnership with Armenia, and of its evolution
over the past 25 years. We are committed to building on our successes
in working towards a more engaged, prosperous, and well governed
Armenian society”, Deborah Grieser said, adding that it’s a great
honor for her to lead the USAID Mission in Armenia.

She presents the works carried out in Armenia since 1992. “Since 1992,
USAID has partnered with the Government of Armenia and its citizens to
address a variety of challenges. Over 25 years, USAID assistance and
USAID’s partnership with Armenia has evolved to respond to Armenia’s
changing needs in its transition to a modern democratic society and a
free-market economy. USAID has provided over $1 billion USD to improve
the lives of the Armenian people, supporting their efforts to
strengthen democratic, economic, and social governance”, she says.

Following Armenia’s devastating earthquake in 1988, USAID contributed
to an international response to provide food, shelter, medicine and
fuel to those in need. Upon Armenia’s independence in 1992, the USAID
Mission in Armenia was established, and the USAID-Armenia partnership
formally began with programs providing humanitarian assistance.

As Armenian institutions, public and private, have developed, the
USAID-Armenia partnership has evolved. USAID programs are now largely
implemented by local organizations and support Armenian-led
initiatives. USAID works directly with the Armenian Government,
Armenian organizations and private sector, and coordinates closely
with other international donors and organizations to address remaining
development challenges.

“Together we promote economic growth through rural development in
agri-business and tourism, and provide support for civil aviation,
energy independence, and information technology. We promote democracy
and improved governance through local governance reform,
anti-corruption efforts, and support for civil society, independent
media, and the protection of human rights. Together we promote child
welfare reform, an inclusive education system, and work to reduce the
burden of tuberculosis and maternal and child mortality”, Deborah
Grieser writes.

She highlights that USAID’s partnership with the Government of
Armenia, its citizens, international and local partners has yielded
impressive results.