Zhoghovurd daily of Armenia writes as follows, in particular: The [US President Donald] Trump administration is closing, one by one, leading American institutions providing international aid.

Yesterday it became known that the Washington central office of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which is mainly responsible for coordinating [US] aid to other countries, is being closed.

By the way, the closure of the office is a joint decision of Trump and American billionaire Elon Musk, which was made in the context of reducing state spending.

Zhoghovurd daily asked Ashot Melikyan, Chairman of Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, what fate awaits the USAID Armenia office and the programs that are implemented [in the country] with the support of this organization.

“(…). As for the USAID Armenia office, I cannot say anything for them, they do not comment either. One of the organizations that used USAID programs was also the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, we had a grant. But on January 25, we were informed by internews Armenia that the program had been frozen for 90 days, no expenses would be made until there will be new instructions.

There is no clear information for the future, it is uncertain [whether] the program will continue or not.

The US Attorney's Office has sent its conclusion to the court that this decision contradicts the legislation, there should have been a discussion in court.

The organizations that have signed contracts to implement their programs have dealt with the American state, and this is a challenge to the state as to what extent it will stand by the contracts and obligations it has signed," said Ashot Melikyan.