Friday, 16 May 2008
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation led by the U.S. Department of State Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to European and Eurasian Countries Tom Adams.
Greeting the guest, the Prime Minister said that Armenia appreciates the development of bilateral relations with the United States and, in this context, the efforts of the intergovernmental task force on economic affairs which, according to him, have acted as a propelling agent for progress in specific areas. Tigran Sargsyan thanked the U.S. government for the sizeable support provided since Armenia's independence that has led to noticeable achievements in a number of fields. "At the same time, we are well aware that reforms have failed to make themselves felt in some areas and the assistance coming from the United States may help solve the existing problems," the Prime Minister has said.
Congratulating Tigran Sargsyan on appointment to the post of RA Prime Minister, Tom Adams said to be especially glad on this occasion as he had already had the opportunity of working with him for a lasting period during Mr. Sargsyan's tenure as CBA chairman. He expressed confidence that Tigran Sargsyan would be as much successful at the highly responsible post of head of RA government.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed his guest on the overall macroeconomic situation in Armenia and on the status of reforms underway in tax and customs administrations and in the judiciary. Tigran Sargsyan said that the implementation of tax and customs reforms is seen as a priority task by the newly formed cabinet and expressed conviction that the achievement of all planned targets in this field would facilitate the solution of our country's social and economic problems. He advised that the goals and the program of key actions in the field of tax and customs reform were due to be published in a few days to make it possible for the public-at-large to monitor the steps taken by the Government. Among other priority measures, the Prime Minister named the shaping of a business-friendly environment for small and medium-size entrepreneurship and the effective fight against corruption. He stressed that in all of these directions the government was cooperating closely with relevant international structures which provided the monitoring necessary for the government to reveal the shortcomings available in the ongoing activities.
Mr. Adams mentioned that, as a matter of fact, positive changes could be noticed in the sphere of tax administration though there were still some troublesome issues as to the furtherance of democracy, strengthening of rule-of law and the creation of additional incentives for entrepreneurship. He promised that the U.S. administration will keep on working with the Armenian government in these and other directions to help our country be more attractive in the eye of foreign investors, in particular.
"Our people are tired of much rhetoric and promises. Today we need concrete action, and we have declared already that the new government will pursue radical changes. We are seeking such steps and principles as may unite the nation instead of evoking the watersheds that used to divide us in the past," Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said in conclusion of the meeting.
