Millennium Challenge is Trust Armenia Has to Justify

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Millennium Challenge Compact is the single largest government investment in Armenia's economy, Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated when addressing a forum on Armenian issues in Washington. The signing of the Compact drives both economic development and democratization in Armenia, he said. "The US government chose Armenia as one of the potential recipients because Armenia is needy. That's no secret. But there are lots of needy countries in the world. Why Armenia? Because the US government determined to contribute to the budgets of those countries that are themselves attempting to grow in the right direction - to govern justly, to encourage economic openness and to invest in people," Oskanian said. "Armenia is a part of the MCC because not only is there plenty about our society that needs to be put right, but because we are on a path that is right," the Armenian FM added. As Oskanian noted, Armenia has the honor and the obligation to build on the confidence that has been placed in our government and our people. "And so, even as we spend these funds to turn mud into asphalt and to give farmers the irrigation water that is their lifeblood, we will work to make sure that good governance and the principles of an open and fair society take root in our homeland," Oskanian stated.