Today, on July 12, the USAID-funded Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness (EDMC) Project, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Armenia and the RA Ministry of Justice, held a conference on Alternative Dispute Resolution System Reforms. The event was attended by 2 American federal district judges, a mediator from the U.S. Embassy and the representatives of the Armenian business community.

USAID Armenia Mission Director Karen Hilliard and the Deputy Justice Minister of the RA, Yeghishe Kirakosyan delivered opening speeches emphasizing the benefits of ADR. USAID Armenia Mission Director expressed her hope that this new method of solving problems in the economic sphere will boost the trust of investors and will bring new investors and employments.

U.S. district judge, Ricardo Martinez and Robert Lasnik presented American approach to ADR. A moot court was conducted during the conference during which the participants learned about the elements of arbitration and mediation.

At the end of the conference the planned activities to be carried out by Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness (EDMC) Project, in cooperation with the RA Ministry of Justice were presented, notably the creation of the road map, public hearings on ADR, legislative drafting and awareness-raising.

It is also worth to mention that on July 11, 2013 a letter of intent was signed between the USAID/EDMC project and the RA Ministry of Justice, in which the parties pledged mutual cooperation and support in developing Armenia’s ADR system and the reforms directed to the business community of Armenia.

Source: iravaban.net