US-Armenia Joint Economic Taskforce

We welcomed Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and his delegation for the annual US-Armenia Joint Economic Taskforce (USATF) today. Prime Minister Sargsyan met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Reuben Jeffrey.

The USATF was formed in 2000 and meets annually to further economic cooperation and advance economic and market reforms in Armenia. The task force is an open forum used by both countries to discuss issues of concern and interest. It also provides the opportunity to check progress in certain areas and clarify priorities for moving forward. It produces an action plan that is used to tailor assistance to Armenia from the United States Government, through the Office of the Coordinator of Europe and Eurasia at the Department of State. An aviation agreement was signed prior to the meeting which was co-chaired by Thomas C. Adams, Coordinator for Assistance to Europe and Eurasia and Vardan Khachatryan, Armenian Minister of Finance and Economy. This agreement will enhance our cooperation in civil aviation security, and will clarify the framework for effective communication during potential crises and allow for assistance in the event of an aviation accident