U.S.-Armenia Task Force Holds Meeting in Washington, DC

The ninth session of the U.S.-Armenia intergovernmental task force on economic cooperation (USATF) was held in Washington, DC on October 4, 2004. USATF is the format allowing discussions between the governments of the United States and Armenia on issues of bilateral economic and related issues, and its sessions are held on bi-annual basis. The Armenian delegation to the Ninth Session of USATF was headed by Finance and Economy Minister Vardan Khachatryan, and included Chief Economic Adviser to the President Vahram Nercissiantz, Chairman of State Committee on Water Management Andranik Andreasyan, Central Bank Chairman Tigran Sargsian, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Arman Kirakossian, and officials from the Ministries of Finance and Economy and Foreign Affairs.

The agenda for the USATF meeting included issues such as coordination and directions of U.S. assistance programs in Armenia within the context of the Government of Armenia’s strategy for poverty reduction and sustaining economic growth, the current status of the Millenium Challenge Account programs’ process in Armenia, banking sector development, business environment, further reforms in energy sector, agriculture, and irrigation, strengthening counterterrorism capabilities, and other issues of bilateral concern.

Prior to the USATF session, the Armenian governmental delegation participated in the annual Governor’s Meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on October 2-3, 2004.

On October 3, the Embassy of Armenia hosted a reception in honor of the Armenian delegation, with participation of officials from U.S. Government and the international financial organizations, including CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Paul Applegarth, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, NSC Deputy Director for Europe and Eurasia Matthew Bryza, and World Bank Country Director for Armenia and South Caucasus Donna Dowset-Coirola, as well as representatives of the Armenian-American organizations.