BOARD EXPRESSES SIGNIFICANT CONCERN ON ARMENIA AND CALLS FOR EXTRAORDINARY INTERIM

Baku, 13 March (AzerTAc).The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board of
Directors held its quarterly meeting, the first chaired by U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton to discuss MCC programs generally and review in detail MCC’s current
partnerships with Armenia and Nicaragua.
Given ongoing concerns about governance issues in Armenia, the Board decided to
convene an extraordinary interim review session prior to its June meeting to assess
its partnerships with this country.
As a result of the meeting, the Board reiterated its concerns about the status of
democratic governance in Armenia and will not lift the hold on MCC assistance for
the rehabilitation of rural roads, while allowing the government of Armenia to fund
construction.
“The Board’s decision today signals to the government that it has failed over
several years to address concerns raised not only by MCC and other U.S. Government
agencies, but the international community as well.
It’s now incumbent upon the government of Armenia to restore the Board’s confidence
to its commitment to democracy and good governance.” said Bent.
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a United States government agency designed
to work with developing countries, is based on the principle that aid is most
effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom, and investments in
people that promote economic growth and help eliminate extreme poverty.

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