US to give $6.5 million for conducting free and fair elections

PanARMENIAN.Net

U.S. to give $6.5 million for conducting free and fair elections in Armenia
10.03.2007 13:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The American side through its Embassy in Armenia
assigned $6.5 million for conducting free and fair elections in this
country, Vice-President of `Millenium Challenges’ American Corporation
John Hjuko stated in Yerevan. He said, the Armenian authorities are
going to do everything in order to conduct the upcoming elections
democratically. `I’ve brought a clear message for the Armenian
authorities. It is necessary to deepen democracy in the republic and
the upcoming parliamentarian and presidential elections in Armenia
must fix a serious progress in the development of democracy considered
with previous elections,’ John Hjuko stated. He said, during his
meeting with leaders of the country Prime Minister and the NA Speaker
of Armenia promised him that the Armenian leadership will do
everything possible to hold free and fair elections in the country.

Speaking about cooperation between Armenia and the `Millenium
Challenges’ Corporation, John Hjuko stressed that his organization
insists on keeping three main parameters in those countries, which
claim to get financial means for realizing the projects of ‘Millenium
Challenges’. `Our priorities remain the same-development of democracy,
investments to `human resources’ and establishment of economic
freedoms,’ John Hjuko stated. Armenia received $225 million grant from
the American Corporation for developing her agriculture in the past,
`Interfax’ reports.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia will be held May 12 this
year. Registration of party lists and candidates will take place from
April 2 till April 7. The electoral campaign will launch soon after
this process and will last till May 10. The Armenian National Assembly
has 131 members.