YEREVAN. - Armenia marked significant progress during the five years of my absence from the country, said former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans at “20 years of Independence in Armenia and the region” discussion held in Yerevan on Tuesday.

Evans said that progress mainly affected the capital, whereas there is no tangible progress in regions.

"Maybe five years is not so long for all-round progress but in many areas there are obvious improvements," he added.

Referring to suspension of Millennium Challenges program in Armenia, he said that reason was the inappropriate behavior of officials, as well as the impact events of March 1, 2008.