PM Tigran Sargsyan received the US Ambassador
armradio.am
04.10.2008 11:38
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received newly appointed US
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Armenia
Marie Iovanovitch.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Ambassador on appointment and
expressed conviction that the traditions of friendship as established
and sustained between the two countries since Armenia’s independence
will be successfully continued and strengthened during Ms.
Iovanovitch’s tenure in office.Noting that following the genocide of
Armenians in particular, the United States became a second homeland for
many Armenians, Tigran Sargsyan evoked with gratitude the assistance
provided to our country by the government and the people of the United
States and said it is an evidence of friendship.
As assured by the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador, she has been
enjoying quite a warm welcome since the very first days of her stay in
Armenia. She said it to be honorable for her to represent the United
States in a country with long traditions of mutual cooperation and
friendship.
Marie Iovanovitch asked the Prime Minister about his expectations as to
continued cooperation with the US Embassy and the USAID and the
priorities of the Armenian government.
Tigran Sargsyan highlighted the ongoing reforms in tax and customs
administrations which according to the Prime Minister are directly
associated with the drive for ensuring equal conditions in economic
competition, curbing corruption, building civil society and promoting
fundamental freedoms. "Should we manage to achieve a qualitative shift
in this field, we will be blessed with a better future," Tigran
Sargsyan has stressed.
The Prime Minister further said that as approved by the World Bank and
the IMF, this sufficiently ambitious program meets with some resistance
inside the country. Nevertheless, the Government has a strong focus and
will combat any such phenomena as may hinder economic expansion. He
advised that serious efforts are underway towards building up a solid
resource of highly qualified specialists in the tax and customs
systems. The Prime Minister stressed the need for introducing
risk-based monitoring and control tools. He indicated that major
business is the target number one for these reforms.
The parties then referred to the possibility of maintaining the US
government’s support to Armenia under the Millenium Challenge Program.
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said to be hopeful that the upcoming
(November, 2008) MCC Managing Board meeting will give a favorable
consideration to this issue.
In this connection, Ambassador Marie Iovanovich said that stakeholders
in Washington were very much impressed by Armenia’s funding of part of
program activities in the course of this year. "This demonstrates
Armenia’s great sense of responsibility with regard to program
implementation," Ms. Iovanovich said and added that the United States
would similarly like to see as much commitment in addressing the
internal issues on the part of the Armenian authorities. Here, she
conveyed the US Government’s and people’s concerns over the arrests
conducted following the March 1-2 events. Ms. Iovanovich expressed hope
that court proceedings will be carried out in a possibly unbiased,
transparent and expedited manner, though she agreed with the Prime
Minister in that "one can hardly expect fairness of speedy justice."
Tigran Sargsyan noted that the trials are given wide publicity, they
are followed closely by the civil society at home and international
organizations abroad, with each magistrate being well aware of the
possibility of appealing their rulings with the European Court of
Justice: "Our duty is to ensure that law is enforced in full," the head
of government said.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister of Armenia wished Ambassador Marie
Iovanovich every success all the way through her diplomatic mission in
our country and assured her of the Armenian government’s readiness to
cooperation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
