Decision on continuing Armenia-"Millenium Challenges Fund" cooperation to be adopted in DecemberJune 11, 2007 - 15:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Compact of the "Millenium Challenges" is progressing well in Armenia, CEO of the "Millenium Challenges Corporation" (MCC) Ambassador John Danilovich stated at opening ceremony of MCC new office in Yerevan said. "We have begun training farmers to improve their profitability with the Water to Market Activity and design of the first phase of the Rural Roads Rehabilitation Project is nearing completion. Additionally, the early design phase of the Irrigated Agriculture Project is out for competitive bids, with first construction expected to begin this autumn," Danilovich underscored. The CEO of the "Millenium Challenge Corporation" also welcomed the Armenian parliamentary elections and congratulated the Armenian people on a more successful poll than previous elections. "It appears that this election was an improvement towards international standards, but we continue to closely watch the process of investigating allegations of irregularities. As with all MCA countries, the MCC Board at its annual selection meeting in December will make a decision on Armenia's continued eligibility," the CEO said. Armenia was included in the Compact on March 27, 2006. It supposes assignation of $235 million for developing agriculture and reducing the level of poverty. The compact includes a USD 67 million project to rehabilitate up to 943 kilometers of rural roads. It also includes a USD 146 million project to increase the productivity of approximately 250, 000 farm households. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |