Millennium Challenge Corporation to Grant $235 Million to Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation stated in Washington yesterday that it will grant Armenia $235 within 5 years. In a letter to the Armenian President the Millennium Challenge Corporation Chairman John Danilovich congratulated the Government and people of Armenia. He noted, "Armenia has worked out an integrated program aimed at effectiveness, which will form more employment opportunities in rural areas." He stressed "US devotion to the Armenian people." At the same time the Millennium Challenge Corporation Chairman criticized the Armenian Government. He specifically noted that "the delay of the Corporation Board of Directors passing a decision was due to concern over the referendum on the Constitution held in Armenia November 27." He also noted that Armenia had gone down two points according to fair government scale of the Millennium Challenge Account.



The letter notes that the Board of Directors notified the Armenian Government on "the need of progress in political rights and freedoms and accessibility of mass media." These are steps, which according to the Millennium Challenge policy can be undertaken also after the signing of the decision on providing the grant. "The situation over the constitutional referendum gave us occasion for asking: are measures taken to make progress," says the letter sent to the Armenian President.