USAID Yerevan getting new chief, increasing funding for ArmeniaFebruary 10, 2016 - 16:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Karen R. Hilliard, the current director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Yerevan Mission, said Wednesday, February 10, she will soon be replaced by Deborah Grieser. Speaking to local reporters, she said her tenure is ending in May, ARKA reports. Prior to her appointment to Armenia in September 2012, Hilliard worked as the USAID representative in Mongolia. Grieser, who will take up her new job in June, is already in Armenia to get acquainted with the USAID-funded projects currently underway. According to Hilliard, the USAID is expected to increase its funding for Armenia, with a corresponding decision soon to be adopted by the U.S. Congress. Karen R. Hilliard served as Mission Director to Jamaica from 2007-2011, managing a multi-million program in economic reform, democracy and governance. Under her leadership, the Mission leveraged an additional $12 million through public/private partnerships. From 2006-2007, she served as Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting for the Agency’s Bureau for Global Health in Washington, and from 2003-2006 she was Deputy Regional Director for Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. Previously, she has worked in Haiti, Malawi, Nicaragua, Oman and Egypt. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |