PRESS RELEASE April 27, 2005

Ambassador Markarian Meets CEO of Millennium Challenge Corporation

On April 26, 2005, Ambassador of Armenia to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian met with Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Paul Applegarth and other MCC executives. Ambassador Markarian noted that cooperation with MCC remains a top priority, and stressed the need for timely completion of Armenia’s proposal, its finalization and approval in order to start the implementation of the MCA compact in Armenia promptly.

In turn, MCC executives noted that Armenia’s proposal, submitted to the MCC in March 2005, is well-drafted and in compliance with MCC criteria, and can serve as a solid basis for further collaborative work between the MCC and the Government of Armenia’s MCA team. A delegation of MCC economists and experts will travel to Armenia next week to begin the process of discussing Armenia’s proposal.