OREANDA-NEWS. December 29, 2007. The meeting has discussed the first revised version of the PRSP, questions related with future action, the proposal on extension of the partnership agreement as moved by head of the task force on operative coordination of PRSP activities, RA Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Suren Karayan.

Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan said that, as a matter of fact, the Poverty Reduction Strategic Program is a complex program for the development of our country. As approved in 2003, it has since undergone certain amendments to match the pace of development. According to Serzh Sargsyan, this process is to be continued: the program is being amended today and will do so in future, if necessary. The Prime Minister placed a special focus upon civil society's broader involvement in the implementation of the PRSP by stressing that a higher rate of civil society's commitment would add to the overall success of the program.

During the discussion that followed, the members of the Council took the floor to present their comments and proposals with regard to the tasks set in this revised version of the PRSP.

The Council has decided to take notice of the draft of the revised version of PRSP, as well as to endorse the proposal made by the PRSP task force concerning the prolongation of the partnership agreement pending the signing of a new such agreement.

Based on the proposals made during the meeting, the PRSP task force was told to hold additional discussions over the revised version of the PRSP for the next month's period with subsequent submission thereof to the Coordinating Council for consideration. In this connection, the RA Ministers and the heads of agencies by the government were instructed to submit to the Ministry of Finance and Economy their comments and proposals on the revised version of PRSP before January 20, 2008.