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HRANT BAGRATYAN: USAID PROGRAMS MAY BE SUSPENDED IN ARMENIA (VIDEO)
20:47 | April 10,2015 | Politics
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may suspend its
activities in Armenia.
"If this happens, it will be a huge blow to the Armenian government
and opposition," says Hrant Bagratyan, a senior representative of
the Armenian National Congress (HAK).
It was Hrant Bagratyan who during his tenure in office as Armenian
Prime Minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding with USAID. The
former PM says during these years USAID has done tremendous work in
Armenia, especially in the legislative field.
Thanks to USAID, many officials in the Armenian government today know
meaning of the terms 'purchasing,' 'procurement,' 'state purchases,'
they learnt how to write and enact laws.
"I guess that some congressmen spoke against implementing programs of
this major international organization [USAID] in Armenia, saying that
despite their efforts Armenia is taking the path to Asia and Eurasia,"
says Mr Bagratyan.
The absence of USAID will especially be felt by the opposition. Budget
offices that were first opened in Armenia in the CIS area will become
meaningless.
"These offices allow an opposition representative in Armenia to follow
on a screen the budget execution, including revenue and expenditure
outcomes, without moving from his seat," says the former PM. "Belarus,
Kazakhstan and Russia do not have such offices but Armenia has.
However, they need methodological help and assistance in order to
develop fully."
Mr Bagratyan says USAID helps Armenia avoid numerous mistakes committed
by other countries. The former PM urges the US Congress not to close
the USAID Office in Armenia.
Since 1992, USAID has provided a broad range of development programs in
Armenia, shifting from an initial humanitarian emphasis to assistance
for economic, political and social transition. For nearly two
decades, USAID has been a leading donor agency in Armenia, managing
approximately two-thirds of the total U.S. assistance program. The
Mission has strategic objectives in five principal areas: private
sector growth, energy sector, democracy and governance, health and
social sectors, peace and security/cross-border activities. The USAID
Mission to Armenia works with the Armenian public, the Government of
Armenia, non-governmental organizations and businesses, as well as
with other donors.
http://en.a1plus.am/1209372.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQj7Qrxq3rI
20:47 | April 10,2015 | Politics
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may suspend its
activities in Armenia.
"If this happens, it will be a huge blow to the Armenian government
and opposition," says Hrant Bagratyan, a senior representative of
the Armenian National Congress (HAK).
It was Hrant Bagratyan who during his tenure in office as Armenian
Prime Minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding with USAID. The
former PM says during these years USAID has done tremendous work in
Armenia, especially in the legislative field.
Thanks to USAID, many officials in the Armenian government today know
meaning of the terms 'purchasing,' 'procurement,' 'state purchases,'
they learnt how to write and enact laws.
"I guess that some congressmen spoke against implementing programs of
this major international organization [USAID] in Armenia, saying that
despite their efforts Armenia is taking the path to Asia and Eurasia,"
says Mr Bagratyan.
The absence of USAID will especially be felt by the opposition. Budget
offices that were first opened in Armenia in the CIS area will become
meaningless.
"These offices allow an opposition representative in Armenia to follow
on a screen the budget execution, including revenue and expenditure
outcomes, without moving from his seat," says the former PM. "Belarus,
Kazakhstan and Russia do not have such offices but Armenia has.
However, they need methodological help and assistance in order to
develop fully."
Mr Bagratyan says USAID helps Armenia avoid numerous mistakes committed
by other countries. The former PM urges the US Congress not to close
the USAID Office in Armenia.
Since 1992, USAID has provided a broad range of development programs in
Armenia, shifting from an initial humanitarian emphasis to assistance
for economic, political and social transition. For nearly two
decades, USAID has been a leading donor agency in Armenia, managing
approximately two-thirds of the total U.S. assistance program. The
Mission has strategic objectives in five principal areas: private
sector growth, energy sector, democracy and governance, health and
social sectors, peace and security/cross-border activities. The USAID
Mission to Armenia works with the Armenian public, the Government of
Armenia, non-governmental organizations and businesses, as well as
with other donors.
http://en.a1plus.am/1209372.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQj7Qrxq3rI