Fresno State’s Armenian Studies Program welcomed Ambassador Erin McKee to campus on Thursday, August 29, 2024 to speak about the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and its activities in Armenia today. The USAID is an independent agency that focuses on international development and aid and was founded by John F. Kennedy in 1961. McKee currently serves as the assistant administrator in the bureau for Europe and Eurasia. Armenia falls under the category of Europe and Eurasia and the USAID has been working with Armenia for the past 30 years, with the emphasis on guiding Armenia to strengthen its institutions.
In April of 2024, a meeting was held in Brussels with members of the USAID and important political figures of Armenia to discuss a plan to increase Western support for Armenia and ultimately strengthen their independence. At this meeting, they discussed important factors and some steps Armenia needed to take in order to foster independence, mainly from Russia.
Armenia is currently in a position where they rely heavily on Russia for many resources. Although it’s important to have good relations with neighboring countries, McKee emphasized the consequences of Armenia’s dependency, specifically that Russia has the ability to affect Armenia’s economy at any given moment, as the world has seen during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Furthermore, Armenia has recently expressed a desire to move away from Russia and in McKee’s words, “the oppressive shadow of Putin’s threat.”
Energy independence, food security, and trade diversification, are three of the critical and important areas that USAID is discussing with Armenia.
Russia controls much of Armenia’s energy supply, and could withhold energy from Armenia at any time. McKee discussed how the USAID is working with Armenia to increase energy independence by transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar energy.
The USAID is also working with Armenia to increase Armenia’s food security, especially regarding its dependence on Russian food imports. Armenia is almost exclusively dependent for essential supplies such as wheat and flour.
McKee explained that the USAID is working with the agriculture sector to increase Armenian productivity by improving land use and focusing on growing crops with high productivity.
Finally, trade diversification is a crucial area that Armenia needs to develop in order to have lasting independence. As most of their trade comes through Russia, Armenia could form stronger international relations, with more diversification.
A major underpinning of independence, of any individual or nation, is the ability to have access to accurate information. The USAID is working to create a free and independent media for Armenia. McKee explained how much of the media in Armenia is controlled by Russia, so President Putin and the Russian government have power over what information is presented to Armenia and how that information may be influenced by Russia.
A freer media would allow Armenians to learn about all sides of political conflicts and the ability to understand and believe what they choose.
Ambassador McKee proudly discussed the efforts of USAID in working alongside Armenia to take small steps in achieving a big goal: lasting independence.
At the conclusion of the Ambassador’s remarks, students and faculty had the opportunity to ask questions.