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Armenian president, US official discuss Millennium Challenge project

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  • Armenian president, US official discuss Millennium Challenge project

    Armenian president, US official discuss Millennium Challenge project

    Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
    1 Jun 04

    [Presenter] Armenia today received the first official congratulations
    on its participation in the Millennium Challenge programme. Armenian
    President Robert Kocharyan, CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation
    Paul Applegarth and three MPs noted during their meeting today that
    Armenia, as a country which is demonstrating efforts towards stable
    development, has been recognized as a winner in the competition for
    participation in the programme that involves many countries. According
    to the head of the delegation, the US government's assistance is
    intended to ensure a stable economic growth in developing countries.
    Paul Applegarth familiarized Robert Kocharyan with the conditions
    of assistance.

    For his part, Robert Kocharyan said that significant efforts are
    required to achieve success in future activities. This is a good
    opportunity to improve the situation in the country and create serious
    conditions for future development, the president noted, expressing
    the hope that the budding cooperation of the states will be effective
    and consistent.

    [Correspondent over video of meeting] Paul Applegarth is in Armenia on
    two occasions. First, to congratulate Armenia on its participation in
    the Millennium Challenge programme and to familiarize our government
    with the details of the programme. Mr Applegarth has met the speaker
    of the National Assembly [Artur Bagdasaryan] and the prime minister
    [Andranik Markaryan]. After the meeting with journalists, he handed
    over official congratulations to President Kocharyan. The member
    countries of the programme must follow three standards: to promote
    economic freedom, govern fairly and invest in people. Sixteen countries
    out of 85 have been elected. Armenia has been selected according to
    positive indicators achieved in these three directions.

    [Paul Applegarth, in English with Armenian voice-over] Armenia has
    been included in the green zone on this list. There are also red and
    light green zones. The Armenian government's policy must be directed
    at eliminating them [as heard]. We shall succeed in this with the
    help of the programme.

    [Correspondent] Paul Applegarth familiarized the country's leadership
    with the conditions of the programme. The US government will follow
    the implementation of the programme whose success will also depend on
    continuing financing. It is necessary to preserve the success achieved
    in these fields and to submit relevant requirements for financing.

    [Paul Applegarth] Armenia has been chosen in the Millennium Challenge
    programme because it has a high rating, but we shall not allocate
    the funds immediately. First of all, it is necessary to submit a
    programme of proposals, which will ensure stable economic development.

    [Correspondent] Two months have been given to the Armenian government
    for choosing the programme's successiveness. The heads of the
    delegation suggested that the Armenian side should not hurry. It is
    necessary to discuss and then submit proposals. Because the financing
    depends mainly on that.

    For the implementation of the Millennium Challenges programme, the US
    government has allocated 1bn dollars to all its member states in 2004,
    and 2.5bn dollars will be allocated next year.

    Elmira Shakaryan for "Aylur".
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