PRESS RELEASE                                                      
October 9-14, 2008

Prime Minister Sargsyan’s Visit to Washington, DC

On October 9-14, 2008 Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan visited the United States. The delegation consisted of the RA Finance Minister Tigran Davtyan, Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan, President of the Central Bank Artur Javadyan, Chief Economic Adviser to the President of Armenia Vahram Nercissiantz, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakossian, and RA Ambassador to the United States Tatoul Markarian.

During the visit the delegation headed by the Prime Minister had meetings with representatives of the US Government, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The Prime Minister met with the US Vice-President Dick Cheney and the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The issues of Nagorno Karabagh, Armenia-Turkish relations, and US-Armenia bilateral cooperation were discussed.

Prime Minister Sargsyan and the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Ambassador John Danilovich discussed the implementation and the future programs of the MCC in Armenia.

In the meeting with the US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez the Prime Minister discussed particularly the possibility of the US support in establishing free economic zones in Armenia. With the US Trade Representative ambassador Susan Schwab, the prospects of US-Armenia trade expansion, and in particular the possibility of signing a TIFA agreement were discussed.

The Prime Minister participated in the World Bank’s and International Monetary Fund’s Annual Meetings. He also met with the Prime Minister of Georgia Lado Gurgenidze.