Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Tigran Sargsyan and Patrick Fine Discuss MCA-Armenia Program Outlook
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received today Millennium Challenge Corporation Vice President for Program Implementation Patrick Fine. The meeting was attended by U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Armenia Bruce Donahue.
Thankful for effective cooperation, the head of government highly valued the pace and outcome of the 5-year program which started in September, 2006: “This program affected hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries - stakeholders, developers, coordinators, lenders, borrowers, high-school teachers – all of which spoke favorably about it. I would like to thank our U.S. partners on behalf of my government for assistance. Highly appreciative of the program, we are committed to continued interaction and will do everything to bring Armenia up to MCC standards.”
Prioritizing the program’s role in shaping a new way of economic thinking, the Prime Minister especially hailed the infrastructure development and agriculture-related activities, inclusive of the built-in training courses.
Patrick Fine said to be impressed with his first-ever trip to our country. He thanked the Premier for good work and handed a booklet drafted in both English and Armenian which contains an overview and statistical data concerning the 5-year program. The booklet was said to provide the best report among the ones realized in 25 countries as an evidence of Armenia team’s high professionalism.
The parties went on to discuss the possibility of continuing the MCA-Armenia program. Mr. Fine noted in this respect that the outcome of the first program and the country’s conformity with the MCC criteria - economic freedom, fair management, investments for people and control over corruption – are among the key factors conducive to program continuity.
Stating his government’s priorities, Tigran Sargsyan appreciated the impact of the MCA-Armenia program, emphasizing that the formation of a middle class in Armenia is crucial to the fight against corruption and introduction of democratic values. According to the head of government, the beneficiary farmers are pleased with the program as it helped them build on their skills and incomes.
Concerning the government’s focus against corruption, the Prime Minister advised that a new law will come into force as of January 1, 2012, compelling 500 public officials to submit individual declarations on their property, incomes and family members. In this context, he highlighted the establishment of an ethics commission to check on the data so provided. In his opinion, such a close control over transparency and openness in public activities will help reduce corruption risks.
In conclusion, the parties thanked each other for cooperation, hailing the efforts made by all those concerned, including public agencies and civil society.
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Under the 5-year program (September, 2006 - September, 2011) the MCA-Armenia sought higher living standards for over 420 thousand beneficiaries from 350 rural communities in Armenia, rebuilding and rehabilitating irrigation infrastructures, pumping stations, gravity systems and tertiary canals, as well as upgrading a number of sections of the Ararat Valley drainage system.
Some 45 thousand farmers and water users got training and technical assistance under the program. The MCC invested a total of USD 177 million in Armenia’s irrigation network and farming sector.
