Armenia, USA step up cooperation

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia John Heffern and USAID Armenia Office Head Karen Hilliard.

Pleased with the current pace of cooperation, the parties discussed the USAID-developed five-year support strategy for Armenia. In this connection, John Heffern noted that thereby Armenia and the United States usher in a new stage of cooperation.

Karen Hilliard advised that the U.S. government would like to conclude a new arrangement with the Government of Armenia in the field of democracy and public governance, which will be unique in its kind in Europe and Eurasia region.

The agreement seeks to shape a more participatory, efficacious and responsible system of governance, promote foreign investment, civil society and combat corruption in Armenia.

Under the proposed agreement, the USAID is going to spend 32 million U.S. dollars in financial support for democracy and governance reform over the next five years.

“This is a new level of cooperation between the governments of our two countries, which could set a precedent for countries in the region since no other country has so far benefited from a program like this,” Karen Hilliard said.

Appreciative of the program, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan assured of our country’s willingness to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation.

The agreement is to be signed by this March 31.