-Mr. Ambassador, the session of the Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue was held in Yerevan recently with a new format. Can you, please, introduce the results and agenda of the session?
-You are right, the session of the Armenian-American intergovernmental commission this time was held with a new format, with a format of strategic dialogue, and this new format is in accordance with our relations that are developing and expanding in the past years.
The agenda was quite comprehensive. During the meeting the sides almost managed to completely cover all issues of the Armenian-American agenda, outline the cooperation expansion directions in political and economic sectors. Special attention was paid to the issue of the establishment and development of viable institutions aimed at strengthening the unprecedented democratic achievements registered in our country as a result of the velvet revolution. The United States is ready to provide full support on this matter. The discussion of cooperation prospects in the fields such as judicial and legal reforms, higher and professional education, energy, IT, environment, was also very important. I must state that we have a reliable and principled partner on all these matters in the person of the US.
Of course, the meeting also touched upon the cooperation in commercial and investment sectors.
Agreements were signed at the session according to which the US will provide up to 16 million USD support to boost economic growth and effective governance in Armenia. In addition, USAID announced a new three-year initiative, 6 million USD assistance will be provided for the democratic reforms, engagement of citizens in these processes and ensuring tangible results during the first year of this initiative.
Of course, regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed. In other words, the new format discussions were held in a quite broad agenda, covering almost all issues of mutual interest, including those of strategic importance.
I also would like to mention the fact that the US delegation included four deputy assistants secretary of state which talks about the fact that the US government attaches great importance to the constant deepening and strengthening of the relations with Armenia.
-In general, how would you assess the current level of the Armenian-American relations? What achievements will you mention in the Armenia-US diplomatic ties in the recent period?
-The Armenian-US relations have been and remain in the list of Armenia’s foreign policy priorities. We highly value the US constant engagement and role in our regional processes. I am happy that the Armenian-American partnering and friendly relations are developing dynamically.
The democratic developments launched in our country with the velvet revolution have been highly appreciated in the United States, by opening new opportunities for the constant development of the bilateral ties, discovery of new prospective areas and implementation of programs. During this period a high dynamics of meetings and mutual visits at different levels and formats was typical to the relations, but here I want to note that the best appreciation for our relations is the content, and the recent session is the vivid evidence of this. There are many joint programs and initiatives which were also thoroughly discussed at the session.
This year a progress has also been registered in the inter-parliamentary relations. In particular, the delegation of the House Democracy Partnership bipartisan commission visited Armenia which announced the launch of institutional relations between the commission and the Armenian Parliament.
-How do you assess the US efforts, as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country, for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
-We highly appreciate the constant efforts of the United States, together with the remaining Co-Chair countries, aimed at settling the NK conflict exclusively through peaceful means. We can state that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship is one of the unique formats where we see such format cooperation between the Co-Chair countries.
-Recently during a reception in the Embassy you highlighted the importance of global humanitarian programs in conflict zones and the role of Armenians, who survived the Genocide, in raising awareness about them. In your opinion, what actions must be taken in this regard?
-Even with limited resources and opportunities, Armenia is making great efforts to raise awareness on and prevent the crime of genocide. I think, Armenia’s consistent actions on this direction are already vividly seen and positively assessed by the international community. Here we need to take into account that the prevention of genocides is first of all the common responsibility of the international community. This is the legal interpretation of the 1948 Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Therefore, Armenia first of all is making consistent efforts to strengthen the genocide prevention mechanisms in the UN and other international platforms. We have assumed the role of the leader in this process because we bear the moral responsibility that no one should ever face what has happened to our people, that “never again” is not just a slogan, but the concept under it should be enshrined forever.
We also should consider the holding of global forums on the prevention of genocides in Yerevan through which Armenia is presenting a consistent appeal on turning this forum into one more platform for prevention of genocides. And the global forum ‘Against the Crime of Genocide’, which was held in Yerevan last year in December, mainly emphasized the role of education in the prevention process.
-Mr. Ambassador, the new leadership of Armenia highlights the attraction of investments and the role of diplomatic structures in this process. Are there any actions for attracting the US investments to Armenia, as well as presenting our country’s economic opportunities? Are there any outlined programs, meetings? What prospects do you see for expanding the economic partnership between the two countries?
-The actions aimed at creating a respective environment for the economic revolution, that was announced by the Armenian government as a priority, relate to all of us. For us, the diplomats, ensuring a platform for boosting the economic ties, establishing ties between the economic sector representatives, informing about the ongoing reforms and programs, in addition to others, are priority issues. This is the focus of our activity in the economic sector, and we are conducting daily works on this direction.
It’s obvious that the presence of favorable environment in Armenia is an attractive factor for investors. The presence of GSP+ trade regime with the EU and the GSP with the US is important for boosting the investments, which provide additional opportunities to the Armenian exporters to enter the EU markets with privileged terms, and Armenia’s membership to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) enables foreign exporters to have an access to the EU market worth 182 million via Armenia.
Although it’s still too early to talk about the concrete programs, but I can state that the IT and alternative energy are among the prospective sectors. The works continue, and I hope we will record tangible achievements in this regard.
-The active role of the US-Armenian community in several matters of the bilateral agenda is being emphasized. What actions do you see i...
