Hrant Bagratyan: USAID programs may be suspended in Armenia (video)
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.
