Wednesday, 22 September 2004
Today RA Prime Minister A. Margaryan has received H. E. John Marshall Evans, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia.
By congratulating the Ambassador on his entering on mission, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that relations between Armenia and the U.S.A. would continue developing successfully during his term of office. On behalf of the cabinet and on his own behalf, Mr. A. Margaryan assured the Ambassador of the Armenian government's readiness to possibly provide every assistance in his activities.
With reference to the issues of regional concern, both sides have noted the two countries keen interest in the establishment of peace, stability and prosperity in Southern Caucasus. They stressed that a key role in this matter could be played by strengthened political and economic partnership between Armenia and the U.S.A., placing a special focus, in particular, on the activity of the Intergovernmental Economic Task Force (USATF). Mr. A. Margaryan mentioned that Armenia was eager to uphold the existing positive trends in bilateral relations, especially as new areas of cooperation were emerging, among which to emphasize Armenia's inclusion into the Millenium Challenges Program. The Prime Minister advised the Ambassador that the Board of Trustees of the Millenium Challenge Account Armenia Program had held extensive discussions with public agencies, business circles and non-governmental organizations concerning the proposals to submit the U.S. Government and, as early as in late September, Armenia would forward its proposals to the U.S. side.
Ambassador John Evans said that Armenia's involvement in the Millenium Challenge Program was quite positive in itself. According to him, after Armenia's proposals have been approved, new and vaster opportunities will open up for bilateral cooperation. He pointed out to the existence of good working traditions between the two governments that needed to be continued and deepened.
