PRESS RELEASE                                                       March 30, 2006

High Level Armenian Government Delegation Visits the United States for MCC Signing Ceremony

A high-level delegation of the Armenian Government visited Washington, D.C. on March 27 – 28, 2006 for the inauguration of the compact between the Republic of Armenia and the United States through the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The delegation, headed by Finance and Economy Minister Vardan Khachatrian, included Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Chief Economic Adviser to the President Vahram Nercissiantz, and Ambassador Tatoul Markarian.

The signing ceremony of the MCC-Armenia compact was held in the State Department, in the presence of U.S. and Armenian government officials, and leading members of the Armenian American community. Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, who hosted the ceremony, MCC CEO Ambassador John Danilovich, and Minister Vartan Oskanian delivered remarks during the ceremony. The compact, signed by Minister Khachatrian and Ambassador Danilovich, will provide $235 million toward the economic development of the rural regions of Armenia, including rehabilitation of the rural road network and irrigation system.

Following the signing ceremony, Minister Oskanian had a meeting with Secretary Rice to discuss issues of bilateral interest. He also held a number of meetings with U.S. State Department officials on the margins of the visit, including Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Ambassador Daniel Fried, Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza, as well as Ambassador Steven Mann, U.S. Special Negotiator for the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict. During these meetings, he was accompanied by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian.

Minister Oskanian spoke on the record at the National Press Club, commenting on the developments in Armenia and the region, including the Nagorno Karabakh peace process and energy security issues. On the evening of March 27, Minister Oskanian addressed the participants of the Pan-Armenian Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., co-hosted by the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, and the Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church. On March 28, Minister Oskanian and Ambassador Markarian visited the newly-opened premises of the Armenian National Committee of America in Washington.

On March 28, Finance and Economy Minister Khachatrian and MCC CEO Ambassador John Danilovich held a public outreach meeting at the U.S. Congress to present the MCC Armenia compact. Representative Frank Pallone addressed the public outreach meeting, extolling the MCC Compact as the latest manifestation of strong U.S.-Armenian partnership. Representatives of NGO’s, development organizations, and U.S. government officials attended the event.