Friday, 25 April 2014
Hovik Abrahamyan Welcomes Delegation of U.S. Congressmen
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan received a delegation of U.S. congressmen led by Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce.
Hovik Abrahamyan thanked the congressmen for attendance of Genocide remembrance activities. The Prime Minister welcomed the adoption of a resolution on recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The congressmen congratulated Hovik Abrahamyan on his appointment as Prime Minister. They said it is very important for them to be in Yerevan on April 24 and pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
“We express our support for the Armenian people who, despite many hardships, managed to preserve and develop their culture thanks to their great will and fortitude,” Ed Royce said.
Noting the importance of the ongoing U.S.-Armenia cooperation, Hovik Abrahamyan said that as Prime Minister, he sees a priority in the strengthening and further development of bilateral cooperation with the United States. The head of government thanked the American side for assistance with the development of democracy in our country, promotion of human rights and implementation of reforms in various areas.
Both sides stressed the need to further develop economic relationship, highlighting the importance of increased trade turnover and multifaceted investment programs, in particular. Speaking of future programs, the Premier said his government’s economic policy will be aimed at providing equal competitive conditions in the country. In this regard, the congressmen expressed conviction that this might help attract additional investment from U.S.-based companies.
Hovik Abrahamyan briefed the congressmen on the political situation in the region, as well as on Armenia’s stance with regard to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey. At the same time, the head of the Armenian government slammed Turkey’s attempts to associate the normalization of bilateral relations with the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, stressing that they are unacceptable to Armenia.
