U.S., Armenia to ink $32 mln agreement

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with U.S. Ambassador John Heffern and USAID Mission Director for Armenia Karen Hilliard.

The guests briefed Prime Minister Sargsyan on USAID 5-year strategy for Armenia and the programs planned. Ambassador Heffern said that the programs will signal a new stage in U.S.-Armenian cooperation.

Karen Hilliard, in turn, expressed the U.S. government’s readiness to sign a new agreement with Armenia which will be unique in Europe and Eurasia. He further noted that the support aims to foster formation of a more competitive and effective management system, growth of foreign investments, development of civil society and anti-corruption struggle.

Under the agreement, USAID intends to allocate financial assistance of USD 32 mln to support democratic and administrative reforms.

“This signals a news stage in the cooperation between our countries, which may set a precedent for other states in the region,” Karen Hilliard said.

Prime Minister Sargsyan hailed the goal of the USAID program, voicing Armenia’s readiness for further expansion and deepening of bilateral cooperation. The agreement is planned to be signed by March 31, government’s press service reported.